C. Constituents elements of international society (Summary of different persons categories)
International society is a complex whole where different actors interact, both sovereign states and various non-state actors, such as international governmental and non-governmental organizations, multinational companies, civil society groups and even influential individuals. Each of these actors plays an important role in political, economic and social dynamics on a global scale.
1. Sovereign states:
The primary and most significant actor in the international society is the state. This last was initially the unique legal person before adding later other actors with the evolution of the theoretical field in international relations but also the development of international relations themselves, those actors being conferred international legal personality, allowing them to acquire rights and carry duties.
2.International Organizations:
The nineteenth century saw the beginning of efforts to establish international organizations, which gradually took on a legal identity. This means organizations that have international legal personality, which makes them an institution characterized by permanence and independence from its constituent persons and acting in the name of the legal person.
Indeed, the emergence of the first permanent organizations dates from the second half of the nineteenth century, such as the International Telegraph Union (1865), the Universal Postal Union (1874), the International Railway Congress Association (1884), the International Office of Public Hygiene (1907), and the League of Nations1. This later aimed to resolve conflicts peacefully and establish security; this goal was not achieved because this body was unable to prevent the outbreak of World War I, which led to its replacement by the United Nations later after the end of the Second World War.
International organizations are classified into three categories:
1 Bob Reinalda, Les organisations internationales du Congrès de Vienne à nos jours, Site de l’Organisation des Nations Unis, Le 30 décembre 2014, disponible en ligne [Enligne] URL :
https://www.un.org/fr/chronicle/article/les-organisations-internationales-du-congres-de-vienne-nos-jours, consulté le 01/10/2024.
2.1 Global International organizations and regional international organizations.
Global international organizations are not geopolitically limited but are global, e.g., the United Nations. While regional international organizations have a geopolitical characteristic that allows them to function more effectively than a single state. A demarcation or boundary determines who is eligible to join a regional organization. Within certain geopolitical boundaries, a regional organization is typically established to foster political, cooperative, and economic integration among its member states1. Their creation is not limited to political and economic questions but also tends to integrate other fields such as the security aspect, namely NATO.
1 NEELU KISHNANI, International and Regional Organizations, IJCRT, Volume 3, Issue 3 September 2015, ISSN: 2320-2882, p.588.
2.2. Organizations with general jurisdiction and specialized organizations.
An organization whose jurisdiction is not restricted to any one area of life but supports many aspects of life, political, economic, social, cultural, security, etc. A general jurisdiction organization can be regional, like the League of Arab States, or global, like the United Nations.
Specialized organizations are organizations whose activities are restricted to specific subjects determined by the charters that established them. Specialized organizations can be global, like UNESCO, or regional, like the European Court of Human Rights. Examples of specialized organizations include the International Labor Organization, the World Health Organization, and UNESCO.
2.3. Governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations.
International governmental organizations, like the United Nations and the League of Arab States, are made up of only states. International non-governmental organizations, on the other hand, are private groups that aren't set up by governments but by people and private or public bodies from different countries and nationalities who want to change the way international relations work.
3. National liberation movements
In the perspective of international politics and law, national liberation movements might be regarded as a component of the international society. The former has acknowledged these movements in a number of ways, and they frequently aim to grant independence and self-determination to a particular population or region.
1. Recognition: states or international organizations have acknowledged certain national liberation movements, which can raise their stature and legitimacy internationally.
2. International Law: The United Nations Charter, in particular, upholds the notion of the right to self-determination. This idea backs up national liberation movements' demands for autonomy or independence.
3. Participation in International Forums: National liberation forces have occasionally been permitted to represent their people or act as observers in international fora like the UN.
4. Solidarity and Support: states and international organizations have backed numerous national liberation movements, which can help them become even more integrated into the International society.
National liberation movements are widely recognized as significant actors in the fight for self-determination and can influence international relations, however their position and recognition can vary greatly depending on the political situation and the particular movement.
4.Individuals:
In the context of international law, individuals are typically not regarded as legal persons in the same manner as states or international organizations. States and international organizations, whose rights and obligations are recognized by international law, are usually the main actors in the context of international society.
International human rights legislation does, however, grant people certain rights and protections. Individuals' rights are acknowledged by treaties like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights covenants, which also hold nations responsible for defending those rights. This implies that although people might not be considered juridical persons in the conventional sense, they are acknowledged to have legal standing in specific situations, especially when it comes to human rights.
In conclusion, individuals are not considered juridical persons in the same way as states or organizations, but they do have rights and protections under international law that acknowledge their status as important members of the international community.
5.Multinational corporations:
Unlike governments or international organizations, multinational corporations (MNC) lack the rigid definition of international legal personality. Nonetheless, in the states where they are registered and conduct business, they may be regarded as legal persons at the national level. They are able to have rights and responsibilities in those jurisdictions as a result.
Within the framework of international society, multinational enterprises play an important role, particularly in terms of investment, trade, and economic impact. Although they are not major actors in international law, they may be subject to certain international norms and regulations, and they may also incur responsibilities, for example in terms of human rights or the environment.
In conclusion, multinational corporations are not international legal persons in the strict sense, but they do have legal personality at the national level and can influence international society in a significant way.