Chapter 5
The UK and international institutions
The Commonwealth, the European Union and Council of Europe as described in the handbook, the United Nations and NATO.
By the end you should know
- Explain what the Commonwealth is and how it works
- Know the key EU dates in the handbook and how the Council of Europe differs from the EU
- Know the UK's place in the UN Security Council and NATO
The Commonwealth
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of countries that support each other and work together on democracy and development. Most members were once part of the British Empire, but a few were not. The monarch is its ceremonial head.
Its core values are democracy, good government and the rule of law. It cannot tell members what to do, but it can suspend a member. The handbook gives the number of members as 54.
What is the Commonwealth?
Key factA voluntary association of countries that support each other and work towards shared goals in democracy and development. Most members were once part of the British Empire.
It is based on democracy, good government and the rule of law. It has no power over its members but can suspend membership. The monarch is its ceremonial head.
According to the handbook, how many member states does the Commonwealth have?
Key fact54.
The European Union
The EU began as the European Economic Community (EEC), created when six countries — Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands — signed the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 1957. The UK chose not to join at first but became a member in 1973. The handbook says EU law, in the form of directives, regulations and framework decisions, is binding on member states.
When was the Treaty of Rome signed, and by whom?
Key fact25 March 1957, by six countries — Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands — creating the European Economic Community (EEC), which became the EU.
When did the UK join the European Economic Community (later the EU)?
Key fact1973 — it had originally decided not to join.
The handbook says EU law (directives, regulations and framework decisions) is binding in the UK.
The Council of Europe
Do not confuse the Council of Europe with the EU — they are separate. The Council of Europe protects and promotes human rights in its member countries, which include the UK. It cannot pass laws; instead it draws up conventions and charters, the most famous being the European Convention on Human Rights.
What is the Council of Europe?
An organisation separate from the EU, which the UK belongs to, that protects and promotes human rights. It cannot make laws but draws up conventions and charters — the best known is the European Convention on Human Rights.
The handbook says it has 47 member countries.
The United Nations
The UN was set up after the Second World War to prevent war and promote international peace and security. More than 190 countries belong to it, including the UK. Its Security Council, which recommends action during international crises and threats to peace, has 15 members, and the UK is one of the five permanent members.
How many members sit on the UN Security Council, and what is the UK's position?
Key fact15 members; the UK is one of the five permanent members.
The United Nations was set up after the Second World War to prevent war and promote peace and security; it has more than 190 member countries. The Security Council recommends action during international crises and threats to peace.
NATO
The UK is also a member of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization: a group of European and North American countries that have agreed to defend each other if attacked and to keep the peace among themselves.
What is NATO?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization: European and North American countries, including the UK, that have agreed to help each other if attacked. It also aims to keep peace between its members.
Exam tip: 15 = members of the UN Security Council; 5 = permanent members (the UK is one). 25 March 1957 = Treaty of Rome; 1973 = UK joins. The Council of Europe drafts conventions but cannot make laws.