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Abstract
This article provides a theoretical exploration of the political dynamics within international organizations (IOs), focusing on the perpetual tension between the pursuit of national interests by member states and the promotion of collective interests by the organization itself. It examines the major theoretical traditions in international relations—realism, liberalism, and functionalism—and analyzes how each perspective conceptualizes this relationship. The study uses the United Nations system as its primary case study to illustrate these dynamics in practice. The research argues that while IOs are created by states to serve their interests, these organizations can also develop a degree of autonomy and shape the preferences and behaviors of their members. The paper concludes that the effectiveness of any international organization is ultimately determined by the ability of its member states to find a sustainable balance between their sovereign national interests and the shared collective interests of the international community.
Full Text
International organizations (IOs) are central actors in contemporary world politics, yet their internal dynamics are often a site of intense political contestation. This paper delves into the core tension that defines the politics within these bodies: the clash between national and collective interests. The analysis is structured around the principal theories of international relations. First, it examines the realist perspective, which views IOs as mere arenas for power politics, where states ruthlessly pursue their own national interests and cooperation is fleeting and instrumental. Second, it explores the liberal-institutionalist perspective, which argues that IOs can facilitate cooperation by reducing transaction costs, providing information, and fostering norms of reciprocity, thereby helping states to realize shared, collective interests. Third, it considers the functionalist and constructivist approaches, which suggest that IOs can, over time, reshape state interests and identities, fostering a sense of collective purpose that transcends narrow national concerns. Using examples from the United Nations, the World Bank, and other global bodies, the paper illustrates how these theoretical lenses can be applied to understand real-world outcomes. It analyzes debates over peacekeeping budgets, trade negotiations, and environmental treaties to show how the interplay between national and collective interests unfolds. The findings suggest that no single theory offers a complete explanation; rather, the politics within IOs are a complex and ever-shifting negotiation between the sovereign imperatives of states and the nascent demands of global governance.