NATO, UN and international organisations

In short: International organisations link states to promote peace, security, trade and cooperation. Important examples are the United Nations (UN), NATO and the EU.

In more detail: They arose mainly after the Second World War.

In detail

• UN: Founded in 1945, over 190 member states; Security Council, General Assembly, specialised agencies (vereinte-nationen-und-menschenrechte).
• Security Council: Five permanent members with veto: USA, Russia, China, United Kingdom, France.
• NATO: Military alliance since 1949; Article 5 provides for mutual assistance.
• EU: Political and economic union (europaeische-union-geschichte-und-aufbau).
• WTO: Regulates world trade (freihandel-und-zoelle).
• WHO: World Health Organization coordinates health issues.
• Others: OSCE, Council of Europe, IMF, World Bank.
• Limits: Decisions depend on the unity of the members.