(A) In discussions of the "Realist" school of international theory, power was at the center of relations among states. Realist theory, however, has a very Age of Enlightenment orientation; with the emergence of international organizations in the 20th Century a new qualifier has entered the picture: expedient cooperation. International organizations provide an expedient way for states to achieve (or strive for) goals of self-betterment through cooperative venues different than those based solely upon the balance of power equation.
Good examples of this new venue are the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. These two fiscally-oriented international organizations hold much attraction for non-"super powers" in that they simultaneously (1) work to stabilize international capitalist economies, and (2) provide an opportunity for smaller nations with strong economies to influence world affairs in non-military ways. Japan and Germany are the primary beneficiaries of this type of international organization - being, as they are, excluded from the world of military power by World War II-derived surrender treaties - but even a nation such as Canada benefits.
In Canada's case, for example, we are obviously at a military disadvantage to our southern neighbor, the United States. However, via international organizations such as the Commonwealth or bilaterally with the U.S., Canada is able to negotiate and regulate equitable trade relations with the U.S. - cooperative relations that benefit our domestic affairs while simultaneously giving us prestige and standing in the international community for our ability to work in cooperation with a much larger, more powerful neighbor.
The key word here is "cooperation." International organizations have emerged as players in the field of inter-state relations because the majority of international relations are non-conflict oriented. A river can be the border between two states - but it c...