of individual countries with sharp differences and many disparities. Some are wealthy, militaristically powerful, possessed of a broad economic infrastructure and multiple resources. Others are technologically primitive, lacking in a military apparatus of any significance, and dependent upon foreign investment for any and all economic development. Some members fund organizations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund while others are typically the recipients of those funds (Bennett & Oliver, 2002).
In theory, all members of a particular international organization such as the United Nations or its predecessor, the League of Nations, or regional cooperative groups such as the Warsaw Pact and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or the European Union (EU) have equal power within the organization (Rubenstein, 1989). In reality, this is seldom the case. With 188 nation-states now represented in the United Nations it would be foolish to assume that there are 188 equal partners in either the agenda-setting or decision-making processes at this organization (Bennett & Oliver, 2002). It would be equally absurd to assume that newcomer and relatively poor partner Turkey will have as much sway and influence in the European Union as Germany or France. In international relations, power does differentiate between the capacity of countries to influence or shape events.
Despite this fact, countries continue to seek membership in groups such as the United Nations as part of a search for legitimacy, the ability to influence events to some degree, the peaceful settlement of disputes, collective security, access to technology and financial assistance, and the search for justice under the law (Bennett & Oliver, 2002). The appeal of international or regional organizations is underscored by the fact that each year more and more countries attempt to create the conditions necessary for entry into the EU or the World ...