Governance

The contributions in this book illustrate how international organizations have adapted their governance to changing environments. The book starts with setting a theoretical framework followed by an analysis of the dynamics of change and often the resistance to change. The international community has, moreover, over the last decades created new types of international organisations, which requires reflection on the concept of international organizations itself. But in general existing organizations over time adjusted to new circumstances. Many organizations were in fact created to bring about change in the world, such as eradicating diseases, eliminating hunger, alleviate poverty, etc. But purposes and structures must move with the times. Many new member States joined world-wide organisations following the decolonization process. Integration processes, such as in the European Union attracted more member States. Particularly European organisations had to review their membership or cooperation schemes with Central and Eastern European countries following the collapse of communism there. The requirement of more accountability and transparency entailed, especially in the financial institutions, the creation of reporting mechanisms for fraud or corruption, but also for submitting claims or grievances by private citizens or companies. It also led to the transformation of one non-governmental organization into a public international organization. Etc. The case studies written by experts in their respective fields provide detailed analysis and inside information.