Effectiveness of Regional Cooperations Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are the three points that must be evaluated to determine the success of regional organisations?
-Reducing conflict
-Reducing poverty
-Promoting human rights
How do regional cooperations help to reduce conflict?
They build trust among member states andcreate economic interdependence that discourage conflict and create mechanisms for mediation
Describe the AU’s peacekeeping and conflict resolution framework
It is established through it’s Peace and Security Council, which adresses instability throughout the continent. This body is composed of 15 member states representing different regions of Africa, it has the power to impose sanctions, mediate conflicts and deploy military forces.
Give an example of a successful African Union mission
For example, in 2007 The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) deployed AU peacekeepers with United Nations authorisation to stabilise Somalia in response to the growing threat posed by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, which had taken significant territory from the government.
AMISOM helped Somali forces reclaim territory and maintain relative stability in parts of the country. This was especially impressive given the fact that the UN and US-led
interventions in Somalia designed to do the same in the 1990s were largely a failure.
How does ASEAN reduce conflict?
ASEAN provides a platform for dialogue and confidence-building, particularly around contentious issues like the South China Sea disputes, involving member states like the
Philippines and Vietnam.
Although ASEAN relies on consensus-based diplomacy rather than binding decisions, its role as a forum for discussion has helped de-escalate tensions and promote regional stability.
This reflects the liberal perspective that regional organisations create stable frameworks
that encourage states to cooperate and increase their collective influence, rather than
selfishly pursue their own interests which can threaten conflict.
Why does Arab league failed to reduce conflict?
Faced significant challenges in resolving conflicts between its members, due to competing national interests and diverging foreign policy goals. This is due to its reliance on the consent of member states as it is an intergovernmental organisation.
Give an example of the Arab league failing to reduce conflict
The Syrian Civil War, the Arab League initially responded by suspending Syria’s membership and imposing economic sanctions, signalling disapproval of the Assad
government’s actions.
Despite these measures, the League was unable to facilitate a resolution or provide a unified response to the crisis. Different stances among member states—such as Qatar’s
support for Syrian opposition groups versus Egypt and Algeria’s more neutral approaches—highlighted deep divisions that limited the League’s capacity to mediate effectively.
This highlights how regional states have the potential to mitigate conflicts, their effectiveness is largely dependent member states willingness to prioritise collective stability over their individual interests.
How has ASEAN been succesful at driving economic growth
-The ASEAN Free Trade Area, established in 1992, reduced Tarriffs on intra-ASEAN trade to near a significantly increased trade between ASEAN countries as a result with it approaching $800bn in 2022
Give a statistic that proves the success of regionalism in reducing poverty
The economic growth delivered by regionalism has been central to reducing poverty in ASEAN member states, for example the poverty rate in Cambodia was 47.8% in 2007 to 16.6% in 2022
How has the African Union helped to reduce poverty?
-New Partnership for African devlopment which promotes economic growth, improvement in infrastructure and boosts human development across the continent
-According to the World Bank, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA) has the potential to lift 30m Africans out of extreme poverty by 2035 as the single African Market stimulates economic growth, creates jobs and provides better access to food and healthcare
-
Give an example of the New Partnership for Africa helping to reduce poverty
NEPAD’s support for Rwanda’s agricultural sector for CAADP initiatives has led to significant improvements such as contributing to 5% of annual growth in agricultural productivity between to 2008-2015
How are both NEPAD and AfCTFA limited
Due to infrastructure and implementation challenges, for exmaple only 17% of Africa’s roads are paved, limiting AfCTFA’s abilty to reach the poorest populations by limiting market access to rural areas
Give an example that challenges the EU’s claim to reduce povery
EU has faced crticism for creating econmic disparites by stimulating a economic conditions that favour richer such as Germany and France countries with low debt and therefore favoruing low interest rates at the expense of less fortunate countries
How is they EU at partial fualt for Greece’s increase in poverty?
Following the 2008 financial crisis, Greece’s poverty rate surged to 35% by 2015, driven by austerity measures imposed by the EU, ECB and the IMF as conditions for bailout packages. These austerity policies led to high unemployment, with youth unemployment reaching
nearly 50% in Greece, highlighting how EU-driven economic policies sometimes exacerbate poverty rather than reduce it.
How does the African Union uphold human rights?
Adopted the African Charter on Human and Peoples’
Rights, a legally binding document that sets out a framework for human rights across the continent. It has also established the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which allows individuals and organisations to bring cases against member states, increasing accountability for human rights abuses.
How does the EU uphold Human Rights?
It has made human rights a fundamental componentn of EU membership criteria.
EU member states are required to comply with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which covers rights ranging from freedom of expression to non-discrimination, and the European Court of Justice has the authority to rule on cases where member states violate these rights.
Give an example of the EU exhibiting authority based on its human right’s principles
Hungary’s 2018 ‘Stop Soros’ law, which criminalised aid to asylum seekers, was found by the ECJ to breach the EU Charter’s rights related to asylum and freedom of association. This ruling required Hungary to amend or repeal the law, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to human rights and non-discrimination.
How has ASEAN promoted human rights?
In Southeast Asia, ASEAN has also made strides towards promoting human rights through the establishment of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), which, although limited in enforcement powers, provides a platform for discussing and encouraging
adherence to human rights principles among member states.
How has the Arab league failed to protect Human Rights?
While the League has made statements condemning human rights abuses in conflict zones, such as Syria and Yemen, it lacks a binding human rights charter or enforcement body, limiting its ability to take concrete action.
Human Rights actions based on consensus is difficult as different members have varying interests and human rights practices.
How has the AU’s approach to human rights changed?
It has gone from ‘non-interference’ to ‘non-indifference’, allowing it to intervene in cases of extreme severity such as genocide, war crimes etc.
Give an example of the AU being limited in tackling Human Rights issues?
For example, despite concerns over human rights abuses in Ethiopia and Sudan, the AU struggled to intervene decisively due to its principle of non-interference in the internal
affairs of member states and the influence of powerful nations within the organisation that prioritised stability over confronting human rights violations.
How is ASEAN limited in tackling human right’s issues?
ASEAN also faces challenges in promoting human rights effectively; its Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights operates on a non-binding, advisory basis, which restricts its ability to hold member states accountable for abuses.
Give an example of ASEAN failiing to protect Human Rights
ASEAN’s response to the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar underscored its limitations, as the Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights could only issue non-binding
recommendations and calls for dialogue. This restricted ASEAN’s ability to hold Myanmar accountable for the widespread human rights abuses against the Rohingya.
