Abstract
International organisations typically perform four main functions: they provide for the exchange of information and facilitate communication between members; they develop and sustain norms; they make and enforce rules; and they undertake or sponsor operational tasks.1 Rule making and rule enforcement do not feature in Commonwealth activity, but the other three functions are certainly relevant. The Commonwealth is first and foremost a consultative body which shares information and opinions; it supports principles (norms) of egalitarianism, democracy, multiracialism and human rights and has a strong commitment to economic development; and it sponsors a number of operational tasks and programmes. It is worth commenting briefly on each of these functions with particular reference to the role of the Secretariat.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Notes and References
R. W. Cox and H. K. Jacobson, The Anatomy of Influence (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1974);
H. K. Jacobson Networks of Interdependence, 2nd edn. (New York: Knopf, 1984) 83.
R. W. Cox, ‘The United Nations organisations and hegenomic decline’ (unpublished paper, 1986) 18.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1989 Margaret P. Doxey
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Doxey, M.P. (1989). The Secretariat at Work. In: The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Contemporary Commonwealth. Cambridge Commonwealth Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09967-2_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09967-2_5
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-09969-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-09967-2
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)