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Theories on the role of international

organizations in maintaining peace and
security
January 2014

Authors:

Endalcachew Bayeh
Bahir Dar University

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Citations (6) References (20)

Abstract

There are different theories as to the role of international

organizations in maintaining peace and security.
Accordingly, constructivists argue that international
organizations induce states to cooperate internationally
even though their power and utility-maximizing interest is
not achieved. Neo-Liberals also believe that international
organizations are vital to make the world peaceful and
cooperative. Neo-realists, on the other hand, argue that
international organizations are the means by which states
achieve their self-interest, thus, contribute nothing for
peace and security. UN, as a testing ground, has
contributed a lot in the maintenance of peace and security
by deploying peacekeeping forces in the conflict areas
though still lack of member states' commitment to provide
necessary supports, the level of their interest at stake and
the interest of veto powers put challenges on the effective
operation of the organization.

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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development 2014; 1(7): 347-350

IJMRD 2014; 1(7): 347-350

www.allsubjectjournal.com Theories on the role of international organizations in
Received: 01-12-2014
Accepted: 20-12-2014
maintaining peace and security
e-ISSN: 2349-4182
p-ISSN: 2349-5979 Endalcachew Bayeh
Endalcachew Bayeh Abstract
Department of Civics and There are different theories as to the role of international organizations in maintaining peace and security.
Ethical Studies, College of Social Accordingly, constructivists argue that international organizations induce states to cooperate
Sciences and Humanities, Ambo
internationally even though their power and utility-maximizing interest is not achieved. Neo-Liberals
University, Ambo, Ethiopia.
also believe that international organizations are vital to make the world peaceful and cooperative. Neo-
realists, on the other hand, argue that international organizations are the means by which states achieve
their self-interest, thus, contribute nothing for peace and security. UN, as a testing ground, has contributed
a lot in the maintenance of peace and security by deploying peace-keeping forces in the conflict areas
though still lack of member states’ commitment to provide necessary supports, the level of their interest
at stake and the interest of veto powers put challenges on the effective operation of the organization.

Keywords: Constructivism, Neo-Liberalism, Neo-Realism, Peace, Security, United Nations.

1. Introduction
As regards the role of international organizations in maintaining peace and security, there have
been divergent views. Some argue that international organizations are the representation of
state self-interests and cannot satisfy what is expected from them. Others argue in favor of
positive role of international organizations in promoting cooperation as well as peace and
security. There are contending theories in this regard. For the purpose of this study, however,
constructivism, neo-realism/structural realism and neo-liberalism/neo-liberal institutionalism
have been discussed pertaining to the role of organizations in maintaining peace and security.

2. Constructivism
Constructivists argue in favour of international organizations. They argue that international
organizations have the role of not only regulating state behaviour but also modifying the
identity and interest of states, which, in turn, directs states action (Mitchell, 2006). Finnemore
(in Hobson, 2003:154) believes that states are “normative-adaptive entities”. This means that,
through international organizations, states adapt international norms of appropriate state
behaviour to inform their policies and domestic structures (ibid). Thus, international norms
push states to cooperate internationally even though states’ power as well as utility-
maximizing interests is not achieved (ibid). Constructivists underestimate the relevance of
relative gain, unlike the neo-realists, and propagate the more likelihood of cooperation among
states (Nugroho, 2008).
Moreover, international organizations, by constraining self-interest of states and infusing new
appropriate norm to states, control states not to deviate from international cooperation (ibid).
This optimistic view on the role of international organizations makes constructivists to
embrace neo-liberals. Above all, international organizations have the role of, inter alia,
promoting democratization of member states and encouraging member states to pursue
peaceful conflict management strategies (Mitchell, 2006).

3. Neo-Liberalism
Neo-liberals or liberal institutionalists argue in favour of the significance of international
Correspondence: organizations in promoting cooperation and stability. Unlike the neo-realists, neo-liberals
Endalcachew Bayeh assert that “states are concerned with maximizing their ‘absolute gains’ – an assessment of
Department of Civics and their own welfare independent of their rivals (what will gain me the most?)” (Burchill, 2005:
Ethical Studies, College of 65). This is vital for promoting cooperation among states and maintaining mutual benefit. In
Social Sciences and
this connection, Boehmer, et al., (2004) argue that in a condition where states focus more on
Humanities, Ambo University,
Ambo, Ethiopia. obtaining absolute gain, cooperation and collective security are more feasible.

~347~

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development



In other words, neo-liberals believe in collective security and role to prevent war (Nugroho, 2008). For neo-realists,
argue that states can devote themselves to the preservation of organizations are reflections of the interests of states and states
joint interests through international organizations (Niou and are unwilling to surrender their power. Thus, the cumulative
Ordeshook, 1991). effect of these constrained the independent role of
Keohane, being optimistic about the relevance of those international organizations.
organizations, states that international organizations are Neo-realists are pessimistic about the possibility of
capable of facilitating cooperation, and without them “the international cooperation as they believe that states highly
prospects for our species will be very poor indeed” (in Sinclair care for their relative position. An important point, which
and Byers, 2006). Hence, he values organizations’ role in characterizes neo-realists’ assumption, is their focus on
promoting cooperation. Besides, neo-liberals affirm that relative gains (Burchill, 2005; Brown and Ainley, 2005;
organizations “assume the role of encouraging cooperative Baldwin, 1993; Lamy, 2001). In this regard, Burchill (2005:
habits, monitoring compliance and sanctioning defectors” 65) notes as follows: “Neo-realists, such as Waltz, argue that
(Burchill, 2005: 65). Hence, one can infer from this that, states are concerned with ‘relative gains’ – meaning gains
organizations have a pivotal role in facilitating cooperation assessed in comparative terms (who will gain more?)”. It is
between states. possible to deduce from this that, states care for their relative
Liberal institutionalists, though recognize the systemic position (for their better position compared to others) in
anarchy, the importance of military power and the pre- cooperating with others and if cooperation does not serve this
eminence of states’ interests, argue that organizations are a ultimate interest, cooperation will be fragile. Neo-realists
framework for cooperation, which can help to address the risk further assume that states cooperate and join international
of security competition between states and promote peace and organizations when it is suitable to them (Sinclair and Byers,
stability (Sinclair and Byers, 2006; Boehmer, et al., 2004; 2006). As a result, international organizations survive so long
Baylis, 2001; Burchill, 2005). Besides, they claim that since as they allow states to follow their own interests and assist
organizations feed states with information in the areas of states to achieve relative gain.
security, they can lessen uncertainty and other risks that could To sum up, as can be inferred from the above discussion, neo-
emerge out of anarchy (Meierhenrich, 2012; Nathan, 2012). realists underestimate the importance of international
Generally, as Hobson (2003) notes international organizations organizations. Rather, they believe that, international
are vital to make the world peaceful and cooperative. Thus, organizations are the means by which states achieve their self-
their argument is that international organizations do play interest. Thus, they are pessimistic about the role of
significant role in maintaining peace and stability. To international organizations in the maintenance of international
substantiate this argument, they present the role of Association peace and security.
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in maintaining stability In the following sections, the study examines the role of UN
in South-East Asia, the role of OAU in contributing its part to in the peace and security areas briefly, especially, the UN
address interstate differences, the role of European Security Council’s rapid deployment in crisis areas. In this
organizations in enhancing security in Europe as a witness for connection, the concept of UN Standby force will be
positive role of organizations in maintaining peace and highlighted.
security (Baylis, 2001).
In supporting the neoliberals’ assumption of the positive role 5. United Nations: As a Testing Ground
of international organizations, Nathan (2012) came up with United Nations was founded in 1945 with the primary purpose
concrete evidence. Taking into account the progress of of maintaining international peace and security. The Security
regional organizations in the peace and security area, most Council, the primary responsible body, is mandated to “pacific
importantly, through preventive diplomacy, mediation, post- settlement of disputes” under Chapter VI of UN Charter. The
war peace-building, arms control, and disarmament, Nathan Security Council suggests the appropriate means to be used by
argues that it will be irrational to argue that international concerned parties when it believes that the issue would
organizations cannot bring peace. He substantiates his threaten international peace and security. However, it has no
argument by explaining, inter alia, the role of AU in Kenyan binding effect on member states (UN, 2007). More
civil violence and the mediation effort of IGAD in Sudan. importantly, the Security Council is also mandated under
In a nutshell, as can be understood from the above discussion, Chapter VII of the Charter to decide on appropriate actions to
neo-liberals believe that international organizations are very be taken when there exists “any threat to the peace, breach of
important in facilitating interstate cooperation and the peace, or act of aggression”. Such power of the Security
maintaining peace and security. Council involves the use of force “to maintain or restore
international peace and security”. The collective security role
4. Neo-Realism of the UN is, thus, stipulated on the Charter providing power
As neo-realists or structural realists argue, organizations are to the Security Council ranging from peaceful resolution of
the product of state interests, thus, they cannot independently disputes to the use of armed force depending on the situations.
function, rather, it is state interests, which determine the Accordingly, Matheson (2001) presents that since the end of
decision whether states cooperate or compete (Baylis, 2001; the Cold War in 1991, UN has played significant role in
Meierhenrich, 2012; Sinclair and Byers, 2006). UN, the resolving intrastate and interstate violence as well as boundary
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union conflicts either with the permission of the states or based on
(EU) are international organizations through which states the power of the Security Council under Chapter VII of the
safeguard their interests. Arguing that they are formed on the UN Charter.
basis of self-interest calculation, neo-realists reject the Since the maintenance of international peace and security is
importance of international organizations in serving to achieve the primary responsibility of the Security Council, from its
peace and security (Baylis, 2001; Meierhenrich, 2012; very establishment the Security Council has needed rapidly
Nathan, 2012). International organizations could not have the deployable force to respond to threats to international peace
~348~

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development



and security (Koops and Varwick, 2008; UN, 2003a). This 6. Conclusion
means that there has been a great need for improvement of UN As regards the role of international organizations in
peace-keeping operations to effectively and promptly respond maintaining peace and security, there have been divergent
to numerous crisis situations. This was evident from the UN theories. Constructivists argue that through international
Secretary General’s (Boutros Boutros-Ghali) organizations states adapt international norms of appropriate
recommendation, in his “Agenda for Peace” and the state behavior to inform their policies and domestic structures.
“Supplement” to member states to cooperate with UN in International norms push states to cooperate internationally
peacekeeping operations through preparing their troops for even though states’ power as well as utility-maximizing
rapid deployment with the same training standards and interest is not achieved. Neo-liberals also believe in collective
procedures (Koops and Varwick, 2008). Consequently, security and argue that states can devote themselves to the
member states, refusing the earliest proposal of having a preservation of joint interests through international
standing army (a permanent army similar to the army of a organizations. International organizations are vital to make the
certain state) on the ground that will endanger their world peaceful and cooperative. Neo-realists, on the other
sovereignty, favoured this proposal of a standby arrangement hand, argue that international organizations cannot
(where forces situated in the country of their origin and independently function, rather, it is state interests, which
deployable through notice) as a sensible choice (ibid). determine the decision whether states to cooperate or compete.
Accordingly, Department of Peace-Keeping Operations Organizations are reflections of the interests of states and
(DPKO) has organized the United Nations Stand-by states are unwilling to surrender their power. They believe that
Arrangement System (UNSAS) since 1994 to strengthen the international organizations are the means by which states
supports of states in the peacekeeping operations of UN achieve their self-interest.
(Mazzei, 2009). The UNSAS does not have its own military The reality in the UN shows that since the end of the Cold War
force; rather it depends on contributions from member states in 1991 UN has played significant role in resolving intrastate
of military units, equipments and personnel (UN, 2003b; and interstate violence as well as boundary conflicts either
Mazzei, 2009). Hence, the ultimate power whether to deploy with the permission of the states or based on the power of the
resources or not is under member states’ will (UN, 2003a). Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. In this
States who pledge to contribute forces are required to provide regard the deployment of UN peace-keeping force in Ethio-
their troops with training as per the UN standards and Eritrea conflict, Liberia and Sudan can be mentioned as simple
procedures (UN, 2003b; Koops and Varwick, 2008). instances. However, it does not mean that UN has addressed
As discussed above, UNSAS is constituted by pledges of all issues completely. Lack of member states’ commitment to
member states; hence, to support it, a group of like-minded provide necessary supports, the level of their interest at stake
states discussed to create rapidly deployable force within the and the interest of veto powers put challenges on the effective
framework of UNSAS. On December 1996, Austria, Canada, operation of the organization.
Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Sweden
signed a letter of intent and forged the Standby High 7. References
Readiness Brigade (SHIRBRIG), at Hovelte Barracks in 1. Baldwin, David A. ed, Neorealism and Neoliberalism:
Denmark, with the intent of improving the rapid deployment The Contemporary Debate, New York: Columbia
of UN peacekeeping force (Koops and Varwick, 2008). University Press, 1993.
Eventually, in supporting the UN, the SHIRBRIG deployed 2. Baylis, Steven. ‘International and Global Security in the
first in 2000 for United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Post-Cold War Era’, in The Globalization of World
Eritrea (UNMEE) (UN, 2003a; Koops and Varwick, 2008). Politics: An Introduction to International Relations, 2 nd
SHIRBRIG also assisted in planning activities for United ed, New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Nations Mission in Cote d’ Ivoire (UNOCI) of the 2003 3. Boehmer C, Gartzke E, Nordstrom T. “Do
(Koops and Varwick, 2008). Moreover, on the request of Intergovernmental Organizations Promote Peace?”,
DPKO for assistance, SHIRBRIG deployed in the United World Politics 2004; 57:1–38.
Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and the United Nations 4. Brown, Ainley. Understanding International Relations,
Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) in 2003 and 2004, respectively 3rd ed, Macmillan: Palgrave, 2005.
(UN, 2003b; Koops and Varwick, 2008). 5. Burchill, Scott. ‘Liberalism’, in Theories of International
The UN Security Council, though not in all case, has been able Relations, 3rd ed, Burchill, et al., Macmillan: Palgrave,
to minimize or prevent conflict across different corners 2005.
through its peacekeeping operations (UN, 2007). Therefore, 6. Hobson, John M. The State and International Relations,
UN as an international organization has played a paramount London: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
role in the maintenance of international peace and security, 7. Koops J, Varwick J. “Ten Years of SHIRBRIG: Lessons
though not without challenges. Putting it differently, UN has Learned, Development Prospects and Strategic
played a great role in the overall peace and security of the Opportunities for Germany”, GPPi Research Paper
world even though it fails to address all issues adequately. Series No. 11., Berlin: Global Public Policy Institute,
Hence, the importance of international organizations (in this 2008.
case, UN) is obvious though still lack of member states’ 8. Lamy, Steven. ‘Contemporary Mainstream Approaches:
commitment to provide necessary support, the level of their Neo-Realism and Neo Liberalism’, in The Globalization
interest at stake and the interest of veto powers put challenges of World Politics: An Introduction to International
on the effective operation of the organization. Relations, 2nd ed, eds. Baylis, J. and Smith, S., New York:
Oxford University Press, 2001.
9. Matheson, Michael J. “United Nations Governance of
Post-conflict Societies”. The American Journal of
International Law 2001; 95(1):76-85.
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