Challenges and Growth of International Organizations
This paper examines the key challenges and forces shaping the development of international organizations since the end of World War II. It discusses how the growth of internationalism, economic prosperity, and inter-organizational relationships each influence whether international organizations can thrive. The paper also addresses the structural question of why most international organizations have rejected the American federal model. Finally, it considers the broader implications of globalization—including the rise of the global citizen and the possible decline of the nation-state—as drivers of continued growth in the power and scope of international organizations across environmental, humanitarian, and commercial domains.
- Introduction to International Organizations: Overview of NGOs and their post-WWII growth
- The Role of Internationalism: Shared values and cooperation as organizational foundation
- Economic Growth and Organizational Development: How wealth enables international organizations to flourish
- Inter-Organizational Relationships: Complex interdependence among international bodies
- Structural Models and the Federal Question: Why most organizations reject the American federal model
- Globalization and the Future of International Organizations: Global citizenship, nation-state decline, and organizational growth
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What makes this paper effective
- Clearly identifies and addresses distinct challenges — internationalism, economics, and inter-organizational relationships — as separate analytical categories, giving the argument logical structure.
- Integrates cited scholarly and institutional sources (Iriye, Judge, Union of International Associations) to support each claim, lending credibility to the analysis.
- Balances problem identification with a forward-looking conclusion, connecting historical trends to future implications for the nation-state and global citizenship.
Key academic technique demonstrated
This paper demonstrates effective use of thematic organization: rather than narrating a timeline, it groups issues by analytical theme (culture, economics, structure, futures), which allows each paragraph to develop a single focused argument supported by evidence. This approach is especially useful in short analytical essays on broad topics.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a concise overview of international organizations and their post-WWII growth, then proceeds through three core challenges: the need for shared internationalist values, the importance of economic development, and the complexity of inter-organizational relationships. It then addresses the structural question of institutional models before closing with a discussion of globalization and a brief conclusion that ties all themes together.
Introduction to International Organizations
There are a number of difficulties involved in developing international organizations. These can include a lack of internationalization, poor economic growth, and strained relationships with other associations. Most international organizations have largely rejected the American federal model of institutional organization. It is likely that internationalization and globalization trends will continue to grow, contributing to the rise of the global citizen and the potential demise of the nation-state, as well as a continued rise in the power and scope of international organizations.
Since the end of World War II, there has been strong growth in international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Today, tens of thousands of NGOs operate worldwide, acting to shape international affairs and the lives of individuals (Iriye). The development of international organizations has had a profound impact on the contemporary world. Such organizations now encompass environmental organizations, religious organizations, multinational corporations, regional communities, and transnational private associations, among others. International organizations have been particularly important in the areas of environmental protection, human rights, and developmental aid (Iriye).
The Role of Internationalism
One of the great challenges in developing international organizations — both governmental and non-governmental — is fostering the shared value of internationalism. Internationalism encompasses the idea that nations and peoples share specific interests that transcend national boundaries. It further includes the belief that cooperation and working together produces far better results than working independently within national boundaries. The growth of internationalism plays a crucial role in the successful development of international organizations.
In the twentieth century, the growth of internationalism was closely linked to the growth of international organizations (Iriye). When people and nations feel that it is in their best interests to pursue national interests or to work independently from other nations, the development of international organizations is placed at risk. Building a culture of shared purpose and mutual benefit is therefore essential to sustaining these organizations over time.
Economic Growth and Organizational Development
Developing international organizations is also put at risk when economic growth and development are absent. Wealth enables groups and organizations to finance the interests that are advanced through international organizations, especially philanthropic ones. As Iriye notes, "Without a flourishing world economy at the beginning of the century, [international nongovernmental organizations] might have been much slower to develop" (12). Economic prosperity thus serves as a foundational enabling condition for the rise and sustainability of international civil society.
References
Iriye, Akira. 2002. Global Community: The Role of International Organizations in the Making of the Contemporary World. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Judge, Anthony. 1971. Significance of the World Network of Organizations. Part G of: Next Step in Inter-organizational Relationships. Laetus in Praesens. 15 July 2004. http://www.laetusinpraesens.org/docs70s/71next/nextg.php
Union of International Associations. 5.1 Borderline categories. 5. Problems of classifying international organizations. 15 July 2004. http://www.uia.org/organizations/orgtypes/orgtypef.php
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