INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY: EVOLUTION, CHARACTERISTICS, ORGANISMS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The international or world community is the term used to describe the countries of the world and their governments as a single action group. Although it is not something tangible, it works to synthesize the concept when referring to nations as a unitary entity of power and decision.

To give weight to this international society, the nations of the world have taken concrete actions to integrate themselves through organizations that defend peace and justice in their member countries.

Source: pixabay.com

However, the organizations that group these nations are not limited to a single model or group, since each region establishes its own organizations depending on its geopolitical interests.

For this reason, speaking of the international community cannot refer to an organization itself, but to the global concept of countries with the will and power to achieve the changes deemed necessary.

Evolution of the international community

International conflicts, similar meeting points and the interest for the good of the majority originated the need to organize this international community into clearly established bodies, with regulations, general assemblies, treaties, sanctions and real power to resolve conflicts. How did it all begin?

Treaty of Westphalia

The history of the international community is based on the Treaty of Westphalia, generated after the signing of the Osabruk and Munster agreements in 1648, which ended the Thirty Years War in Germany and the 80 Years War between Spain. and the Netherlands.

From this point on, a new international order was established with the following characteristics:

• The State with a political organization delimited by borders.
• No state should have power over another.
• General rejection of interference in the internal affairs of each nation.
• Each state could adopt whatever religion it wished.

With the Peace of Westphalia began the diplomatic custom of discussing the future of nations in assemblies and resolving conflicts through treaties.

League of Nations

World War I was another of the international events that generated the emergence of alternatives to integrate nations and prevent similar conflicts from recurring.

After the end of the war, the League of Nations, also known as the League of Nations, emerged in 1919, made up of 45 countries during its foundation, but which would reach a peak of 57 members.

This first organization of nations had among its objectives the disarmament of the population, the collective security of the States and the mediation between international conflicts.

Despite the fact that they did manage to solve some post-war problems and sign important agreements such as the Locarno Treaty (1925) and the Briand-Kellogg Pact (1928), the League of Nations was not able to stop the aggressions of fascism in the 1930s. Germany and Japan separated from the organization in 1933, Italy in 1936, and the Soviet Union was expelled in 1939.

Then came World War II and with it the end of the League of Nations.

United Nations Organization

As had happened previously with other conflicts, the end of World War II was the springboard for the creation of the United Nations, which was founded in 1945 by 51 countries to maintain peace, security, promote good relations among its members, in addition to the defense of Human Rights.

Over the years, globalization and the understanding of issues that benefit cooperation between nations continued to shape the image of the international community as we know it today.

These first steps in its evolution paved the way for a world much more connected to each other, whose rulers understand that they must be held accountable for their actions.

Characteristics of the international community

-It is universal: Since it is made up of all the nations of the world.

-Decentralized: Respect sovereignty. Each state does not see in the other a higher authority. Therefore, each nation is equal, with the same rights and considerations.

-It is complex: Due to the depth of the problems that afflict it and the need to create deep and lasting relationships to solve them.

-Heterogeneous: Since the condition of each of the countries that make it up is different in economic, socio-cultural or geographical terms. It is a macro society in which other social groups are integrated.

-Interdependent: Because it depends to a certain extent on the relationships established between one country and another to expand its development.

-Changing: Since the structure of each country can change at any time. It is a process that does not stop with the passage of time.

Organizations of the international community

There are many organizations in which the international community is grouped to have a solid and effective character. Here are some of them:

United Nations Organization (UN)

It is necessary to mention it again to indicate that more than 70 years after its founding, the UN has managed to maintain its status as the largest international organization in the world.

It currently has 193 members and operates in two locations: New York, the United States and Geneva, Switzerland, both considered international territories.

Organization of American States (OAS)

It was created in 1948 in Bogotá, Colombia, where the OAS Charter was signed. According to article 1 of this document, the objective of this body is: "to achieve an order of peace and justice among its member states, promote their solidarity, strengthen their collaboration and defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence."

Currently 35 nations make up the OAS, a body that has granted Permanent Observer status to more than 60 countries in the world, in addition to the European Union.

European Union (EU)

Although it was created as an economic and political association, the European Union has evolved into a multidynamic organization that promotes human rights, democracy, the fight against climate change, among other issues of importance for the development of its member states.

Composed of 28 countries, the European Union has its own currency, the euro; Thanks to its efforts, it has made it easier for its inhabitants to move, live or work among the countries that comprise it.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Based in Brussels, Belgium, this organization was generated after the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in 1949. It is a military agreement that establishes the defense of its members from any attack from an external power.

Currently NATO is made up of 29 countries, most of them European, with the exception of the United States and Canada.

African Union (AU)

It started its work in 2002 in Durban, South Africa. Its 55 members have biannual meetings and its main objective is to achieve peace among its member states that constantly report coups, civil wars or terrorism or international armed conflicts.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

It was founded in 1955 with the objective of analyzing world trade. Currently the WTO is made up of 160 countries that, through agreements and strategic alliances, promote international trade relations, pursue the prosperity of its members and the resolution of conflicts.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

It is an intergovernmental organization based in Washington, United States, responsible for promoting sustainable exchange rate policies, fluid international trade and the reduction of poverty levels. The IMF even approves economic resources to any of the 189 member countries that deserve it.

Crimes against the International Community

There are standards established through International Criminal Law with the aim of protecting international coexistence and regulating relations between countries.

Violation of these rules leads to severe sentences that, depending on the case, can be between six months in prison to life imprisonment.

These are the crimes punished against the international community:

Homicides and injuries of a foreign Head of State and other internationally protected persons

This crime also involves causing injury or damaging official premises, official residence or transportation.

Violation of the personal immunity of a foreign Head of State and other internationally protected persons

It occurs when personnel who have personal jurisdiction are detained to be tried or admitted to prison.

Crime of genocide

It is the most serious crime against humanity, it occurs when an attempt is made to totally or partially destroy a human group because it belongs to a specific nationality, ethnic group, race or religion.

Crime against humanity

It is a complement to the crime of genocide. It refers to behaviors that violate the human rights of people because they belong to a group persecuted for political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious reasons, etc.

Crimes against persons and property protected in the event of armed conflict

When attacks are carried out on the civilian population, prisoners of war and internationally protected persons

Crime of piracy

Referring to criminal acts against the safety of maritime and air navigation.

The international community in perspective

At first glance, it seems like a good idea to have organizations that defend their members from possible attacks by other states, internal crises resulting from civil wars, unstable democracies or weak economies.

However, globally, there are also criticisms regarding the moral authority of the countries that make up these organizations and whether decisions are made by a handful of world powers that decide in a hegemonic way on the

geopolitical game

Despite criticism, the existence of an organized international community has become essential to avoid the chaos generated by the disorder of a dystopian world of nations without interrelation, diplomatic representation or pre-established agreements based on world peace.

References

1. Dictionary of World Power. (2015). "International community". Taken from power-mundial.net
2. Kofi Annan. (1999). Speech. "Meaning of International Community". Taken from un.org
3. Chaz Dias. (2011). "Who are the International Community". Taken from arena.org
4. Amanda Botfeld. (2015). "Who is the International Community?" Taken from Huffpost.com
5. Antonio Cassese. (2004). "The historical evolution of International Community". Taken from oxfordlawtrove.com
6. Calduch, R. (1991). "International relations". Taken from ucm.es