Strengths and Weaknesses
These are some of the strengths and weaknesses of IGOs:
Strengths:
- They hold state authority.
- Their institutions are permanent.
- They provide a forum for discussion.
- They are issue specific.
- They provide information.
- They allow multilateral cooperation.
Weaknesses:
- Membership is limited. Prohibits the membership of private citizens. This makes IGOs undemocratic. In addition, not all IGOs allow universal membership.
- IGOs often overlap resulting in a complex network.
- States have to give up part of their sovereignty, which weakens the state's ability to assert its authority.
- Inequality among state members creates biases and can lead powerful states to misuse these organizations.
They can be deemed unfair as countries with a higher percentage voting power have the right to veto any decision that is not in their favor, leaving the smaller countries powerless.
Read more about this topic: Intergovernmental Organization
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