ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the concept of accountability of international organizations (IOs), both public and private. A public IO is an organization of member states founded by treaty or via transgovernmental agreement. For example, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, established in 1899, has 110 states parties. A private IO is typically a non-governmental organization (NGO) containing members (such as associations or individuals) from more than one country. For example, Transparency International, established in 1993, is composed of national chapters in more than 90 countries. This article will also treat international-minded NGOs with members solely of one country, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, as a private IO. Private profit-seeking organizations, such as a transnational corporation, are not explicitly covered even though much of the analysis would be relevant to them.
