1.3 Classification of International Institutions

Axis Classes Membership Universal (the UN, the specialized agencies — open to the world) vs. regional (EU, OAS, AU, SAARC, ASEAN) vs. inter-regional (BIMSTEC, the Commonwealth) Powers' depth Intergovernmental (cooperative) — decisions by members (SAARC) vs. supranational (integrative) — binding majority will over members (the EU's distinguishing mark) Purpose General-political (the UN) vs. functional-specialized (ILO, WHO, IMF) vs. security (NATO-type alliances) vs. judicial (the international courts) Membership's nature States-only (most) vs. mixed with other entities Permanence Permanent institutions vs. ad hoc conferences and tribunals The exam's use: place any named organization on every axis (the EU = regional + supranational + general-economic; SAARC = regional + intergovernmental + general-political; IMF = universal + functional-specialized).