Political Leadership Beyond the State (DP IB Global Politics): Revision Note
Intergovernmental organisations
Intergovernmental organisations consist of two or more states
They usually have a charter or formal agreement that outlines the goals of the organisation and the obligations of member states
IGOs generally promote peace, economic ties, defence, development and social support
They are important actors in global politics
Notable examples include the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the World Bank
Within an IGO, each member state retains its own identity and can contribute to policy and decision-making
The goal of most IGOs is to allow all member states to contribute equally; however, in reality, economically powerful states often dominate
Advantages and disadvantages for states of joining an IGO
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Formal forums
Formal forums involve a group of actors and stakeholders coming together to discuss and debate a particular political issue
They can involve a group of people within a state or an international group
Formal forums have
Specific rules on who can participate and how
A clear structure with a start and an end
A clearly stated purpose
Case Study
Local planning consultations in the UK
A planning consultation is a formal forum held at the local level
It brings together council members, local residents and experts to discuss a proposed development in the area, such as the building of a new housing estate or road
The consultation is advertised in advance, follows a set format with designated speakers and a fixed time for questions, and is chaired by a council official who ensures all contributions remain focused on the proposal
It has a clear start and end time, and the findings are recorded and used to inform the council's final decision.
Case Study
The G20 Summit
The G20 Summit is a formal international forum held annually, bringing together the leaders of the world's twenty largest economies to discuss global issues such as economic stability, climate change and international security.
Each summit has a host country that sets the agenda, strict rules on who may attend and speak, and a structured programme with a fixed start and end date.
All discussions are focused on the agreed agenda, and the summit concludes with a formal statement signed by all participating leaders.
Informal forums
These forums are also created to allow people to discuss political issues
They are not highly structured, as they are designed to foster creativity and innovation
Informal forums are found at all levels of global politics and could include:
A group of parents meeting at a coffee shop to discuss road safety concerns
A meeting of civil society groups to discuss access to funding
A meeting of world political leaders, businesspeople, experts (and, sometimes, celebrities) to discuss global concerns
For example, at the annual World Economic Forum at Davos in 2025 political issues including climate change, economic growth, job creation, health and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI)
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