Last update: doc. PhDr. Jan Karlas, Ph.D., M.A. (19.12.2023)
This course provides a complex introduction to the study of international institutions – international treaties, international regimes, and international organizations. The first part of the course deals with general issues. At the beginning, the major theoretical approaches to international institutions are explored. Subsequently, the course is concerned with the historical development of international institutions. It provides an overview of their development from the establishing of the first international institutions in the 19th century to their contemporary evolution marked by the decline of US power. The general section of the course ends with the discussion of the internal political system of international institutions – their organizational structure and activities.
The other three parts of the course focus on the functioning of international institutions in the most significant areas of international relations – security, economic affairs and development, the environment, and human rights. The section concentrating on security institutions starts with the analysis of arms control regimes. Afterwards, the security regime associated with the Security Council of the United Nations is explained. The economic section of the course provides an overview of the three major economic IOs – the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization. Finally, the course pays attention to global environmental and human rights institutions.
Course completion requirements
Last update: doc. PhDr. Jan Karlas, Ph.D., M.A. (19.12.2023)
