VCE Politics (Year 12) · Key Concepts · 13m read

Global Actors — States, Intergovernmental Organisations, NGOs and Transnational Corporations

Every Politics question involves actors — who is acting, what they want, and what power they have. Know the major types and be ready to evaluate them.

Learning objective: Describe the types of global actors, their aims and the power they use, and evaluate their effectiveness in responding to global problems.

By the end of this lesson you can:

• I can describe states, IGOs, NGOs and TNCs with examples.
• I can explain the structure and limits of the United Nations.
• I can evaluate the effectiveness of an actor’s response.

Actors play different roles on the global stage. States are the lead actors; IGOs are the stage managers; NGOs are the critics and campaigners; corporations are the powerful backers.

Types of actors

• STATES — sovereign countries; the primary actors, with the most power and legitimacy.
• INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (IGOs) — made up of states:
– UNITED NATIONS: General Assembly (all members, one vote each, mostly non-binding resolutions); Security Council (15 members; five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the UK and the US — each with a veto); agencies such as UNHCR and WHO.
– Economic IGOs: WTO (trade rules), IMF (financial stability and loans), World Bank (development finance).
– Regional bodies: ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum, the EU.
• NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOs) — independent groups such as Amnesty International, Médecins Sans Frontières and Greenpeace; use advocacy, expertise and on-the-ground work.
• TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS (TNCs) — firms operating across many states; economic power, lobbying and supply chains.
• Others: terrorist and armed groups, cities, and influential individuals.

Worked example (Medium)

Explain one strength and one limitation of the UN Security Council in responding to armed conflict.

1. Strength. It can pass binding resolutions, authorise sanctions and peacekeeping missions.
2. Limitation. Any permanent member can veto action, so conflicts involving their interests can block a response.

Answer: The Security Council has unique legal authority to authorise sanctions and peacekeeping, but the veto power of the five permanent members can paralyse it when their interests are involved.

Common mistakes

• Calling UN General Assembly resolutions binding Most are recommendations. Fix: Binding decisions on peace and security come from the Security Council.
• Treating NGOs as powerless They influence through expertise, advocacy and legitimacy. Fix: Explain how NGOs shape agendas and provide services.

Practice questions

1. Which body has five permanent members with a veto?

   1. UN General Assembly
   2. UN Security Council
   3. World Bank
   4. ASEAN

   (1 marks)

2. Describe how a transnational corporation can exercise power in global politics.

   (3 marks)

Summary

• States are primary actors; IGOs, NGOs and TNCs also shape global politics.
• UN: General Assembly (recommendations) vs Security Council (binding, veto).
• Economic IGOs: WTO, IMF, World Bank.
• Evaluate effectiveness with evidence and extent language.