4. International Organizations as Political Systems

We conceive of international organizations as political systems. Political systems convert inputs into outputs (Easton 1965). Based on developments in the international environment, political actors formulate demands and provide support for international organizations (inputs). International organizations convert these inputs into decisions and activities (outputs) directed towards the international environment. For instance, when the Gaddafi regime behaved aggressively against its own citizens in Libya in 2011, France and the United Kingdom demanded an international response (input). This provided input for the United Nations (UN) Security Council, which adopted a resolution authorizing the international community ‘to take all necessary measures … to protect civilians and civilian populated areas’ in Libya (Resolution 1973: paragraph 4) (output).