International Relations - POSC 292 Resource Guide

This informative program provides an accurate profile of the United Nations-its organization, structure, and purpose.

Since leaving the office of U.S. Secretary of State in 2001, Madeleine Albright has continued her distinguished career in foreign affairs as a political adviser, professor, and businesswoman. In this TEDTalk she speaks bluntly about politics and diplomacy, making the case that women's issues deserve a place at the center of foreign policy.

Global governance refers to the ways in which a variety of actors come together to address global problems. The varied actors produce a global pattern of rule even in the absence of an overarching world state.

Body of rules considered legally binding in the relations between national states, also known as the law of nations.

In law and ethics, any inducement to individuals or groups to follow or refrain from following a particular course of conduct. All societies impose sanctions on their members in order to encourage approved behavior. These sanctions range from formal legal statutes to informal and customary actions taken by the general membership in response to social behavior.

Written agreement between two or more states. Treaties take effect either immediately on signature or, more often, on ratification. Ratification involves a further exchange of documents and usually takes place after the internal governments have approved the terms of the treaty.

EU), name given since the ratification (Nov., 1993) of the Treaty of European Union, or Maastricht Treaty, to the European Community (EC), an economic and political confederation of European nations, and other organizations (with the same member nations) that are responsible for a common foreign and security policy and for cooperation on justice and home affairs.

The International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. The Court is located in the Netherlands at the Peace Palace in the Hague. The Court was established in 1946, after it replaced its predecessor, the Permanent Court of International Justice. The Court was founded for the purpose of resolving legal disputes submitted to it by countries and to provide advisory opinions on international legal questions.

Military association of major Western European and North American states set up under the North Atlantic Treaty of 4 April 1949. The original signatories were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the UK, and the USA.

The Organization of American States (OAS) is the oldest regional security organization. It was established in Bogota, Colombia, with the signing of its charter on April 30, 1948. Its purpose was and is to promote regional integration, cooperation, and security among member states within the Western Hemisphere.

Association of states for international peace, security, and cooperation, with its headquarters in New York City. The UN was established on 24 October 1945 by 51 states as a successor to the League of Nations

The EU is a unique economic and political partnership between 27 European countries that together cover much of the continent.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization: agent of international peace-keeping and enforcement.

Shape and sustain a peaceful, prosperous, just, and democratic world and foster conditions for stability and progress for the benefit of the American people and people everywhere.

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.

ndependent, service-providing, not-for-profit organization involved in a range of activities, including the provision of aid to less developed countries. They are often driven by issues, and the services and support they provide include funding volunteers, and organizing action to promote peace, environmental protection, human rights, social and economic justice, education, sustainable and equitable development, health, and aid.

International organization concerned with the alleviation of human suffering and the promotion of public health; the world-recognized symbols of mercy and absolute neutrality are the Red Cross, the Red Crescent, and the Red Crystal flags and emblems.