The Role of IGOs in Unifying Global Societies
I do not think that the UN would unite the world any time soon. The zenith of power for this organization was right after 1945, when everyone was tired of war and was willing to make compromises in order to push forward for a more peaceful coexistence (Bensel et al., 2012). However, the organization was soon shown to be weak and unable to influence major geopolitical players.
It became increasingly evident that not all members of the UN are equal (Wessel & Odermatt, 2019). Votes can be bought and sold, and some countries are not free to voice their opinions without significant ramifications from those countries they depend on. UN was unable to stop wars in Iraq, Libya, Syria, and now Ukraine. Moreover, in all of these cases the countries that started wars either ignored the UN or used it to their own benefit (Wessel & Odermatt, 2019).
Sovereignty vs. Collective Benefits: A Necessary Compromise?
Given the lack of consistent rules and mechanisms to enforce them, there is no benefit for member states to sacrifice their sovereignty to play by the rules others can ignore (Wessel & Odermatt, 2019). The only tangible benefits would be in participation of various restoration projects under the UN, but those are only relevant for countries whose sovereignty is insignificant in the first place, and who have nothing to lose.
Political, Social, and Economic Impacts of IGOs
When it comes to less politicized matters, such as human rights, the environment, and sustainability, the UN has more effectiveness since most countries can agree on issues that do not directly affect their national sovereignty. The UNDP’s goals are, for the most part, laudable. No poverty, zero hunger, good education, responsible consumption, etc., is what every government would want for its people (UNDP, 2023). The ramifications of IGOs getting involved in these areas are positive.
At the same time, when it comes to specific areas of the economy, such as energy, clean production, human rights, and climate action, the issues are much more contested. Developing nations do not have the capacity to swiftly change to green technologies without ruining their economy. Influence on the economy and human rights could be seen as an affront to the ability of individual nations to deal with their internal issues on their own. Therefore, even a well-meaning initiative such as UNDP can prove divisive.
References
Bensel, T., Dale, L., & Maniates, M. (2012). Global socioeconomic perspectives. Bridgepoint Education.
UNDP. (2023). Sustainable development goals. Web.
Wessel, R. A., & Odermatt, J. (Eds.). (2019). Research handbook on the European Union and international organizations. Edward Elgar Publishing.