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Geography

The Principal-Agent Problem in International Organizations like the UN

Quick fact

In many international organizations, the very states that create them (the principals) struggle to control the bureaucrats they appoint (the agents). This leads to 'agency slack'—when officials pursue their own goals, such as expanding their budgets or advancing personal careers, rather than the organization's mission.

Why this is interesting

The UN was created to prevent war and promote human rights—yet it often fails to act decisively. Why? The answer lies in a hidden dynamic between those who delegate power and those who execute it.