NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 – International Organisations

NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 explains the role and importance of international organisations in global politics, particularly the United Nations (UN). Students should refer to the official NCERT website for authentic textbooks and syllabus updates. In NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6, students learn how international organisations help countries cooperate in maintaining peace, security and economic development across the world.

NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 discusses the evolution of the United Nations, which was established on 24 October 1945 after the Second World War to prevent future global conflicts. The chapter explains the structure of the UN, including major organs such as the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice and the UN Secretariat. Special emphasis is given to the UN Security Council, which consists of five permanent members – the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China – and ten non-permanent members.

Another key theme in NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 is the debate on reforming the United Nations after the end of the Cold War in 1991. Many countries argue that the structure of the Security Council reflects the power distribution of 1945 and should be expanded to include emerging powers. The chapter also explains the role of important international institutions such as the World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It further discusses India’s demand for permanent membership in the UN Security Council and the broader debate on making global governance more representative.

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1. Overview

• After the Second World War (1939–1945), countries recognised the need for international organisations to promote peace, cooperation and conflict resolution in global politics.
• The most important global organisation created after the war was the United Nations (UN), established on 24 October 1945 with the aim of maintaining international peace and security, promoting cooperation and preventing future wars.
• International organisations help countries manage global problems collectively, such as conflicts, economic development, environmental issues, human rights protection and humanitarian crises.
• These organisations provide a platform for dialogue and negotiation, allowing countries to resolve disputes through diplomacy instead of military confrontation.
• The United Nations system includes several specialised agencies and organisations, such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Trade Organization (WTO) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• International organisations also play a major role in peacekeeping operations, economic assistance, development programmes and global governance.
• After the end of the Cold War in 1991, the role of international organisations, especially the United Nations, became even more important in managing global conflicts and promoting international cooperation.
• The chapter examines the importance, structure, reforms and challenges of international organisations, particularly focusing on the role of the United Nations in contemporary world politics.

2. Why international organisations?

• After the Second World War (1939–1945), countries realised that many global problems such as wars, economic crises and humanitarian disasters could not be solved by individual states acting alone.
• International organisations were therefore created to facilitate cooperation among countries, helping them address common global challenges collectively.
• These organisations provide a platform for dialogue and negotiation, allowing countries to discuss disputes and reach peaceful settlements instead of military confrontation.
• They help establish international rules, norms and agreements that regulate areas such as trade, security, environmental protection and human rights.
• International organisations also assist countries through economic aid, development programmes and humanitarian assistance, particularly during natural disasters or conflicts.
• By coordinating collective action among member states, these organisations help manage global issues such as climate change, disease control and nuclear proliferation.
• They also promote international stability and predictability, making it easier for countries to cooperate in economic and political affairs.
• Thus, international organisations act as important instruments of global governance, helping states work together to manage international problems.

3. Evolution of the UN

• The United Nations (UN) was established on 24 October 1945 after the Second World War, replacing the earlier organisation called the League of Nations, which had failed to prevent global conflict.
• The UN was founded with 51 member countries, including major powers such as the United States, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, France and China.
• The main objectives of the UN are to maintain international peace and security, promote friendly relations among nations and encourage social and economic development.
• The organisation was built around six principal organs, including the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), International Court of Justice, Trusteeship Council and the UN Secretariat.
• The UN Security Council was given primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, with five permanent members (P5) — United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France and China — holding veto power.
• Over time the membership of the UN expanded significantly, and today the organisation includes 193 member states, representing almost all countries of the world.
• The UN has conducted numerous peacekeeping operations in conflict regions and has played an important role in humanitarian assistance, development programmes and international cooperation.
• Despite its achievements, the UN has also faced criticism and demands for reform, especially regarding the structure and functioning of the Security Council.

4. Reform of the UN after the Cold War

• After the end of the Cold War in 1991 and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the international political system changed significantly, leading to renewed discussions about reforming the United Nations.
• Many countries argued that the structure of the UN, especially the Security Council, reflected the power distribution of 1945, which no longer matched the new realities of global politics.
• Newly emerging powers and developing countries demanded greater representation in UN decision-making, particularly in the Security Council.
• Critics pointed out that the five permanent members (P5) — United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France and China — still held veto power, giving them disproportionate influence over international decisions.
• As a result, debates began about expanding the Security Council to include more permanent and non-permanent members, especially from Asia, Africa and Latin America.
• Reform discussions also focused on improving the efficiency, transparency and accountability of UN institutions.
• Many countries believed that reforms were necessary to make the United Nations more democratic, representative and effective in dealing with global challenges.
• Therefore, UN reform became a major issue in international politics after 1991, particularly concerning Security Council representation and decision-making processes.

5. UN Secretaries-General

• The Secretary-General is the chief administrative officer of the United Nations, responsible for managing the organisation and representing it in international diplomacy.
• The first UN Secretary-General was Trygve Lie of Norway, who served from 1946 to 1952 during the early years of the organisation.
• He was succeeded by Dag Hammarskjöld of Sweden (1953–1961)_, who played an important role in strengthening UN peacekeeping operations before his death in a plane crash in 1961.
• U Thant of Burma (Myanmar) served from 1961 to 1971, guiding the UN during critical moments of the Cold War, including the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962).
• Kurt Waldheim of Austria served from 1972 to 1981, followed by Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru (1982–1991)_, who oversaw the organisation during the end of the Cold War.
• Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt served from 1992 to 1996, focusing on expanding UN peacekeeping and international cooperation after the Cold War.
• Kofi Annan of Ghana served from 1997 to 2006, playing a major role in UN reform efforts and global humanitarian initiatives.
• Later Secretaries-General included Ban Ki-moon of South Korea (2007–2016)_ and António Guterres of Portugal (since 2017), continuing efforts to address global conflicts, climate change and humanitarian crises.

6. Reform of structures and processes

• The most important debate on UN reform focuses on the restructuring of the United Nations Security Council, which currently has 15 members, including 5 permanent members (P5) — United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France and China — and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
• Critics argue that the Security Council structure reflects the global power distribution of 1945, when the UN was founded, and therefore does not represent the current realities of international politics.
• Many countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America demand greater representation in the Security Council, arguing that developing countries should have more decision-making power.
• One major reform proposal is to expand the number of permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council to make it more representative and democratic.
• Some countries have also demanded reform of the veto power held by the five permanent members, because the veto often blocks important decisions in the Security Council.
• Reform discussions also focus on improving the working methods, transparency and accountability of UN institutions.
• The aim of these reforms is to make the United Nations more effective in addressing modern global challenges such as conflicts, terrorism, environmental crises and economic inequality.
• Despite decades of debate since the 1990s, major structural reforms of the Security Council have not yet been implemented, largely due to disagreements among member states.

7. World Bank

• The World Bank was established in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference to support economic reconstruction after the Second World War and promote development.
• It provides loans, financial assistance and technical advice to developing countries for projects related to infrastructure, agriculture, education and poverty reduction.
• Voting power is based on financial contributions, which gives greater influence to developed countries such as the United States.
• The World Bank remains a major international financial institution supporting global economic development and poverty reduction.

8. Jurisdiction of the UN

• The United Nations (UN) has jurisdiction mainly over international issues, especially matters related to international peace, security, human rights and global cooperation.
• According to the UN Charter (1945), the organisation generally cannot interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign countries, except in situations that threaten international peace and security.
• The UN Security Council can authorise actions such as peacekeeping operations, sanctions or military intervention if a situation poses a serious threat to global peace.
• The UN also works through peacekeeping missions, humanitarian assistance and international mediation to help resolve conflicts between countries.

9. India and the UN reforms

• India has strongly supported reforms in the United Nations, particularly the expansion of the UN Security Council to make it more representative of contemporary global realities.
• India argues that the current Security Council structure reflects the power balance of 1945, which does not represent developing countries and emerging powers adequately.
• India seeks permanent membership in the Security Council, highlighting its large population, growing economy and active participation in UN peacekeeping missions.
• India has also joined groups such as the G4 (India, Germany, Japan and Brazil), which advocate expansion of permanent and non-permanent seats in the Security Council.

10. WTO (World Trade Organization)

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established in 1995 to regulate and promote international trade among countries.
• The WTO replaced the earlier system called the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which had been created in 1947.
• Its main objective is to reduce trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas, making global trade more predictable and transparent.
• The organisation also provides a dispute settlement mechanism, allowing countries to resolve trade conflicts through legal and institutional processes instead of unilateral actions.

11. IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)

• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was established in 1957 to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
• The organisation works under the framework of the United Nations, monitoring nuclear activities of countries to ensure that nuclear technology is not used for military purposes.
• The IAEA conducts inspections of nuclear facilities and verifies compliance with international nuclear agreements, especially the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) signed in 1968.
• It also supports countries in the peaceful application of nuclear technology in areas such as energy production, medical research and agriculture.

12. The UN in a unipolar world

• After the end of the Cold War in 1991 and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the international system became unipolar, with the United States emerging as the dominant global power.
• In this new context, the United Nations faced challenges in maintaining independence, as powerful countries, especially the United States, often exercised significant influence over UN decisions.
• Some critics argued that the UN sometimes failed to act effectively in international crises because of political disagreements among major powers in the Security Council.
• Despite these challenges, the UN continues to play an important role in peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance and international cooperation.

13. Amnesty International

• Amnesty International is a global human rights organisation founded in 1961, dedicated to protecting human rights and exposing violations around the world.
• The organisation conducts independent research and campaigns against issues such as political repression, torture, discrimination and unfair trials.
• Amnesty International publishes reports and investigations on human rights abuses, putting international pressure on governments to respect human rights standards.
• It operates as an independent non-governmental organisation (NGO) and relies on global public support and activism to promote human rights protection.

14. Human Rights Watch

• Human Rights Watch (HRW) is an international non-governmental organisation established in 1978, working to monitor and protect human rights across the world.
• The organisation conducts investigations and publishes detailed reports on human rights violations, including issues such as political repression, torture, discrimination and war crimes.
• Human Rights Watch works to influence governments, international organisations and global public opinion so that human rights standards are respected and protected.
• Through research, advocacy and global campaigns, HRW helps hold governments and armed groups accountable for human rights abuses.

NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 helps students understand how international organisations play an important role in managing global problems such as conflicts, economic development and environmental challenges. Studying NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 provides insight into the functioning of the United Nations and other global institutions that influence international relations.

A detailed study of NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 also highlights the ongoing debate about UN reforms and the need to make international institutions more democratic and representative. The chapter demonstrates how organisations like the UN, WTO and World Bank contribute to global cooperation while also facing criticism and demands for reform. Understanding NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 is important for CBSE board exams and competitive exams such as UPSC and BPSC, where questions related to international organisations and global governance are frequently asked.

Continue reading NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 7 – Security in the Contemporary World to understand the concept of security, traditional and non-traditional threats and India’s security strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 about?
NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 explains the role of international organisations, especially the United Nations, in maintaining global peace, cooperation and economic development.

Q2. Why is NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 important for exams?
NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 is important because topics such as the structure of the United Nations, Security Council reforms and global institutions like WTO and World Bank are frequently asked in CBSE board exams and competitive exams like UPSC and BPSC.

Q3. When was the United Nations established according to NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6?
According to NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6, the United Nations was established on 24 October 1945 after the Second World War to maintain international peace and cooperation.

Q4. Why are UN reforms discussed in NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6?
NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6 explains that many countries believe the UN Security Council structure reflects the global power balance of 1945, and therefore reforms are needed to make it more representative.

Q5. What is India’s position on UN reforms in NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6?
According to NCERT Class 12 World Politics Chapter 6, India supports expansion of the UN Security Council and seeks permanent membership, arguing that emerging powers should have greater representation in global governance.

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