ABSTRACT
Figure 1.1 Schools within international relations theory 7
Two kinds of international organization: IGOs and INGOs
Two kinds of international organization exist: inter-governmental and non-governmental ones. This book discusses both, because their histories, as was found, are intertwined more closely and from an earlier date than is often assumed. Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs in international relations theory jargon) have nation-states as their members, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) have national NGOs. Whereas IGOs are established and governed by governments, INGOs with public goals are set up by citizens, who through these private organizations are politically active at both the national and the international level. IGOs and INGOs have three characteristics in common: they are based on a covenant (a text drafted by the founders which defines the objectives and the organization’s design), a permanent secretariat performing ongoing tasks and (in the case of IGOs) three or more member states, or (in the case of INGOs) member NGOs from three or more states.
