What distinguishes intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)?
A) Members of IGOs are states; members of NGOs are individuals.
B) IGOs deal with treaties; NGOs deal with humanitarian issues.
C) IGOs began with the Treaty of Westphalia; NGOs came about at the end of WWII.
D) These terms can be used interchangeably.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The key difference between IGOs and NGOs is that members of IGOs are states, while members of NGOs are individuals. IGOs are created by treaties, and their function is to facilitate cooperation among states in areas ranging from trade to defense. NGOs, on the other hand, are private organizations that operate independently of states and seek to influence policies and decisions related to humanitarian issues, environmental protection, and other social and political causes. While there may be some overlap in the activities of IGOs and NGOs, their organizational structures and membership base are fundamentally different.

What Distinguishes Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) from Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)