Assuming that countries and states are ‘individuals’ then the United Nations (UN) is an example of a ‘group’.
Currently with 192 member states, the UN as an international body has group synergy, which enables them to do things on a much larger scale, and is able to lend support and commitment to member states. They make complex decisions about major international issues such as climate change and sanctions which requires the full, or majority, support of the group.
Full memberships to such organisations comes with time as prospective countries have to submit detailed reports and some may require time to meet all the conditions that the organisations may require. In order to join the UN, prospective members have to abide by Chapter 2, Article 4 of the UN Charter.
‘Part 1: Membership in the United Nations is open to all other peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the present Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations.
Part 2: The admission of any such state to membership in the United Nations will be effected by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.’
Members also have roles to play in the group as they can run for various committees such as the Security Council in UN. During the UN General Assembly, members can give their opinions and bring up and evaluate issues addressed then, all of which are task roles (behaviour which helps a group accomplish its tasks).
But why do countries join international organisations such as the UN, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and World Health Organisation (WHO)? For the protection that the countries gain? The increase in number of trading partners? Individuals will measure the benefits from staying in a group and when they feel that there are no more benefits to them, they will withdraw from the group.
One such example is Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s announcement in April 2007 that ‘he would formally pull Venezuela out of the World Bank and IMF’. However, due to ‘Venezuela’s sovereign bond contracts require IMF membership’, ‘Chavez was forced to back down from an immediate exit’. The benefits to Venezuela prevented Chavez from pulling out of the World Bank and the IMF at that point in time, reiterating the point that rewards determine the members’ allegiance to the group.
Being a part of a group can be extremely beneficial to an individual as the group can meet the individual’s needs, but it can also be a source of stress for them as there are rules and regulations that members have to follow in order to continue being a part of the group. A group also can do more things that an individual can do and on a larger scale. In the case of the UN, it has accomplished a lot of things that a country will find it hard to do without help from other countries, which in itself is another form of a group.
Credits:
http://www.un.org/en/index.shtml
http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/art-554206
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All international Organisations are a good thing. They act as ‘parents’ and implement guidelines for their ’children’ to follow. There so much disputes amongst us, we will be at war with each other if there are no boundaries set for us.
ReplyDeleteThese groups are good as they are a combinations of different countries and hence different opinions and views can be exchanged before they come into agreement regarding the passing of certain lwas or policies. In fact, there is not much chances of groupthink happening in such groups because the countries will probably want to look out for their own interests first. Hence I feel that countries join these groups is mostly because of the benefits they can get out of it. On the other hand though, they might join because of the prestige it brings. To be in a international group is not something to be taken lightly of, especially when the membership is moderated so strictly.
ReplyDeleteCountries join UN mostly due the different types of benefits they receive from the organistation, be it monetary or security. As a small nation like us, it is essential for us to be part of such organizations in order to faciliate our trade and relationship with other larger nations around the globe. But as shown in history, such organisations sometimes fail to achieve their aim when important issue arises, as sanctions are usually the favored form of 'punishment'.
ReplyDeleteHey.. A group's ideal number should be around 5 to 7... But the UN has 192 members, therefore we see so much uncooperation and inefficiency in the UN, with the usual trouble-makers such as Venezuela, Iran or China, just to name a few. A smaller group such as G5, G7 or G8 would be more effective.
ReplyDeleteGood report, you clearly illustrated what is expected in a group, how members should contribute and what roles they play, and what benefits they receive.
Grouping is inevitable. Nobody lives in isolation. All activities involve some kind of grouping. The ideal number in a group very much depends on the circumstance around it.
ReplyDeleteagree with anonymous.. no man is an island in the world we live in today..
ReplyDeletewe all need groups.. we need to be associated with others.. we need to find allies and shelter when it comes to the crunch.. we need a "governing" body to manage conflicts and resolve issues..
but there is also risk that comes with it.. i call it the risk of disproportionate power.. look at UN.. yes there are many countries in it.. but who gets the "biggest say"? the strongest countries of course.. both in terms of economic and military power..
will we see power struggle in our lifetime? i hope not.. but at the end of the day.. groups serve their distinct purposes.. and they have their distinct problems as well.. people just have to manage it.. in the most democratic way possible.. =)
Forming a group is always a good thing. After all, we human beings are social beings. We hate to be alone. Well, at least most of us dont. Sure being in a group brings about lots of rules and regulations but I guess what we're really looking for is for others to recognize us as who we are and accept us. However, it really becomes problematic when individuals in a group only seek their self interest. As always, there are two sides to everything.
ReplyDeleteThe world is getting smaller. Today if you want to be served and to serve, you needs to be a memeber of a group. The benefits are there for your to take and at the same time you to give.
ReplyDeleteAs a member of the United Nation, it give you a platform to voice your greviances and to request for help from other members when in time of needs. It provides a platform for all members to take the initiatives to better the world, a world that all nations should live together. Although we are still far from there, however, the vision where there is no borders and no discrimination is adopted as one of the goals of the UN.
Most wars being with misunderstanding or greed. Members of a group allow any misunderstanding to be heard and arbitrated by other memebers who are not party to the dispute. This helps to prevent any drastic actions that could cause bloodshed.
The benefits can be seen in the Association of South East Asain Nations (ASEAN). Prior the formation, Indonesia were at war with Singapore and Malaysia. Now being members of the same group, any misunderstanding is settled or agreed to be settled by discussion and negotiation.
All countries can benefit from Groupings. For settlement of conflicts, for better of trade or for joint development of resources.
From what I know, there's a focus on climate change in the recent years. Many countries are emitting more than the environment can compensate for, and this has become a large issue. The UN is responsible for coming up with strategic approaches to limit emission and impose emission caps on developed countries.
ReplyDeleteThere are working groups and subsidiary bodies set up for this purpose. But I think that progress is rather slow. Soon, the Kyoto Protocol will expire and countries have yet to come up with a decision. Some countries find it unfair that only developed nations, or technically, Annex I parties, have to limit their emissions.
I think the UN is known for handling international issues that may foster or strain relations between countries. However inevitable this group appears to be, I think it has to shoulder heavy responsibilities.
Whatever the case, I can't wait to see what's the outcome of the environmental treaty.