This course investigates the politics of international organizations (IOs). In recent years, there has been a resurgence of theoretically and empirically innovative research offering new insights into the way that IOs work. This growing body of research has addressed several critical questions: Why do states rely on IOs? How are decisions made within IOs? How do IOs evolve over time? And what impacts do they have? 

Corresponding with these questions, the course is divided into four main parts. After introducing IOs, providing an overview of their history within the global system, and reflecting on their place within the discipline of International Relations, Part I discusses the design of IOs. It develops insights into why states rely on IOs, why states grant some IOs greater autonomy than others, why the decision-making rules of IOs are different, and why some IOs are more “legalized” than others. 

In Part II we turn our attention to policymaking within IOs. We consider how states exert control over IOs, the role of secretariats and staff, and their interactions with non-state actors. During this time, we will also be looking at several specific IOs to understanding their unique characteristics in more detail. In addition to advancing our theoretical understanding of these bodies, this part of the course provides an empirical overview of the key issues that particular IOs have faced. 

Part III then looks at IOs in “action,” providing insights into their ability to provide of information and legitimacy, promote compliance and cooperation, and their role in shaping the behaviour and identities of states. Finally, Part IV examines how states use IOs, how IOs evolve and change over time, and how they ultimately “die”—if they do. The very last class of the course provides us with an opportunity to reflect on what we have learned and speculate about whether IOs are able to respond to current global challenges.

Assessment

• Class participation: 10%
• Reading Response: 20%: Due: TBD.
• Group Presentations: 30%: Presentation Dates TBD.
• Final Policy Brief: 40%: Due: TBD.

Competences, learning outcomes and teaching activities (PDF)