State Power and International Organizations

Features and Power of the State

The state possesses several key features: it lays down the laws which regulate social relations (laws made by parliament), oversees the enforcement of laws by the judiciary, and is responsible for maintaining order within its territory and ensuring external security. Furthermore, it holds competence in foreign policy, levies taxes, directs the economy, manages public services and facilities, and oversees collective infrastructures.

Core Functions of the Modern State

Some of the primary functions of the state include:

• Coordinating the regions and cities that comprise its territory.
• Distributing wealth and responsibilities to ensure compliance with laws and equal rights and duties.
• Ensuring the creation and maintenance of basic infrastructure.
• Coordinating the fight against global terrorism.

The Principle of Subsidiarity

Subsidiarity is a principle by which the institutions closer to citizens take certain decisions. This has been applied by some states to demand power levels for local and regional authorities.

International Relations and Treaties

States manage their relations by signing treaties, conventions, and international declarations of rights. They also create supranational organizations (international or supranational entities).

Treaties and International Agreements

States sign agreements on many different subjects. Key international declarations of rights include:

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• The Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
• The Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

Supranational Organizations

These are created to jointly solve problems generated by the expansion of international relations. Some supranational organizations operate worldwide, such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Others have a continental or regional scope, such as the European Union (EU) and the Arab League.

The United Nations (UN)

The United Nations is the largest and most important supranational organization. The objectives of the UN are:

• Maintain peace and international security.
• Foster friendships between nations based on the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.
• Cooperate in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian nature.
• Develop and encourage respect for human rights.

Specialized UN Agencies

Other organizations were created with concrete objectives, such as:

• UNICEF: The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, created to protect children and youth.
• UNESCO: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which aims to achieve peace and social well-being through culture.