ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) that have a global scale, ultimately focusing on some IGOs that have either a trade or economic focus. Global governance operates when member countries sign treaties to join IGOs. Global governance, operating through IGOs, can occur in at least seven different functional areas. Some IGOs operate in multiple areas. The chapter discusses three examples of IGOs whose aims are not directly related to the business world namely the United Nations (UN), Interpol, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and three examples of IGOs whose functions include regulating trade, finance, and international development namely the World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank. Despite their noble goals, the three international trade and financial organizations have often been the targets of criticisms, which mainly focus on the problem of accountability resulting from their nondemocratic operation. Accountability issue points to unequal representation in the three organizations and secretive operations in the organizations.
