Chapter VIII of the UN Charter: Regional Arrangements and Dispute Settlement

What does Chapter VIII of the UN Charter outline?

Chapter VIII regards regional arrangements authorizing regional organizations such as the EU or Arab League and stating that disputes can be settled first through such regional organizations. However, the use of force can only be done through the Security Council.

Compare non-governmental organizations to intergovernmental organizations by listing their main characteristics.

NGOs are private voluntary organizations, the members are individuals or associations, they advocate a particular issue or provide a service, and they are subject to the domestic law of their country. Intergovernmental Organizations are formed by at least 3 members, have activities in several states, they are created through a formal intergovernmental agreement, most of the actions are only recommendations, and finally, they are subjected to International Law.

Why is the International Court of Justice often depicted as an “old-style” court?

Because the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is limited by the fact that only states can bring contentious cases. This excludes the ICJ from dealing with contemporary disputes involving states and non-state actors (i.e. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), terrorist groups, etc.).

What factors drive regionalism?

Geographical proximity, mutual interdependence, power dynamics, identity, ideology (Pan Africanism), religion, internal (disputes, grievances related to the past), and external threats (prevent extension of the power of the other, i.e. NATO, Warsaw Pact, ASEAN), domestic politics leadership (i.e. Gaddafi with African Union; Egypt and Arab League).

Which two Soviet-led organizations were disbanded in 1991?

The Warsaw Pact and the COMECON (The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance).

How are decisions made in the Council of Ministers of the EU?

The EU's standard decision-making procedure is known as 'Ordinary Legislative Procedure'. This means that the directly elected European Parliament has to approve EU legislation together with the Council (the governments of the 28 EU countries). When it comes to foreign, security, and defense policy, as well as changes to treaties, enlargement, and taxation, the Council of Ministers votes unanimously.