Essay Sample on Origins of International Civil Service: 1919-1920

The international civil service can be traced back in 1919 during the signing of the Versailles Peace Conference and the establishment of the League of Nations in 1920, where it originated (Udom, n.d.). The primary reason behind its introduction was to achieve international cooperation, global governance, and maintain rules that would favor humanity globally. As a result of world wards, international organizations were established to help control the future occurrence of such a human massacre. Principally, these organizations collaborate with constituent member states to prevent war outbreaks and carry other humanitarian functions. Democratic leaders majorly necessitated the creation of international civil service to achieve peace among all the nations through solving border and other disputes resulting in world wars (Melber, 2019). The international civil service is crucial in the 21st century, where the socio-political scene was supplementary turbulent than before when humanity developed government structures.

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Professor Georges Langford, in his book, The International Civil Service, described the organization as a perfect tool in ensuring political stability has been retained to its highest level. He adequately described its parts, therefore, projecting its international missionary role and service to humanity (Langrod, 1965). According to Langford, the world is full of hostility, armed nations with dangerous nuclear weapons ready to explode in a single push of the button. The crucial role of the organization is to maintain stable international cooperation to achieve peace among the nations (Langrod, 1965).

The article traces the developmental stages of the organization from 1919 through examining its major principles articulated by the League of Nations in 1920 later used by the United Nations administrative functions to maintain peace in today's world. The increasing array of global hitches controlled by international organizations is based on the force reflected on the humanitarian activities derived from the international civil service (Loveday, 1959). To maintain the world as a safe place for human existence, the international civil service has been the reference point for both the UN and the League of Nations. Since the development of both organizations, the League of Nations and the United Nations, the international civil service has its mandates exercised in the two organizations to promote peaceful coexistence among nations and ensure good governance and democracy has been achieved.

The organization was not much concerned in the international secretariat functions and had no provisions, as stated in Article 100 of the Agreement. This charter said that the permanent secretariat was to be recognized in the meeting of the League. It also stated that the committee would comprise of Secretary-General and other secretaries as staff members (Loveday, 1959). Later in a proposal, the secretariat was not recognized, and it was believed that an international secretariat seat could not function appropriately; hence, nine more secretaries were to be appointed from member states assisted by a national team and supervised by the Secretary-General of the League. This plan was initially suggested by Sir Maurice Hankey, in line with the established models by the international bureau before world war emerged and managed by officials and member countries (Loveday, 1959).

The first covenant of the international civil service was established by Sir Eric Drummond, the first Secretary-General. Further, he proposed some principles that would govern the League as stated in a report by the British Council of League member, Arthur Balfour. According to the policies, staff members were to be appointed by the Secretary-General and approve by the Council, which started in terms of the Treaty (Loveday, 1962). His duty was to appoint appropriate men and women to perform particular responsibilities in the international civil service. The officials were to be selected different form nations to ensure uniformity in the entire decision making process. Under no circumstance, any country was supposed to dominate in making the vital administrative decisions in the organization without consulting other members.

The word 'international' was emphasized in the treaty to imply that the staff were no longer serving their nations but were to serve in a global platform; they should perform international duties. This concept helps in developing two primary principles of international civil service: international responsibility and international composition. The following policy of international civil service derived the legal manifestation in the laws implemented, bringing all the officials together (Loveday, 1962). The principle regulates their functions and limiting any influence from the government and other authorities.

Besides, the international secretariat was to exclusively concentrate on the administrative roles of the organization dealing with political issues of member states. The British Secretary-General is believed to have established the third principle of the treaty. The opinion of permanent civil service has gradually substituted political and patronage system in the 19th century in the United Kingdom that is efficient and competent. The civil servants were to subject entirely to their duties in the service and not supposed to support any political alliance or ideology whatsoever. The political forum and state decisions were left to the government, the parliament, and other non-officials in the international organization. The Secretary-General played the role of self-restraining by not addressing League Assembly in the Council. Involvement in a political activity compromised the general principle governing the secretariat of the international civil service (Loveday, 1962).

According to the four superpowers: the USSR, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom, the international Secretariat is included in the Charter of the United Nations. The international responsibility restricts the League from receiving any instruction from external authorities and Government bodies as proposed in San Francisco. International civil service would work efficiently without any interference as obligated by the League of Nations (Loveday, 1962). In the case of German and Italian Fascists, the danger exposed by pressure from nations could erode the international civil service loyalty, thus creating mistrust in the organization. The obligation of countries towards the international League was to respect its independence to allow service delivery.

International civil service could not be composed of people in response to their national governments indirectly. The majority of staff members demonstrated the urge of this condition in the Preparatory Commission held in London, where appointments were based on the individual's subject to the government in which the member was national (Loveday, 1962). This proposal ensured all the appointees were representatives of their respective governments. The Secretary-General emphasized the prior approval of officials to achieve the confidentiality of their federal governments to the secretariat and ensure respect to their wholly universal traits and responsibilities.

However, this proposal was rejected by the mainstream of member states, arguing that it would be tremendously inappropriate to include in the laws; they believed that it would allow national governments particular privileges to their appointees, thus allowing pressure on laws making the body of the organization. The Preparatory Commission further emphasized on the sole responsibility of the Secretary-General to the other principal organs on duties of the secretariat. Also, other members of the council should recognize the authority of the administration and subject to the rules.

Article 105 of the charter further highlighted on the principle of an independent secretariat body to avoid national pressure on its functions. Members of the council were given that privilege of independence to allow excellent performance in their respective duties (Meron, 1981). The Francisco conference participants foresaw the conflict that would emerge between members of the secretariat and their national governments. The official acts opt to be respected to ensure the protection of the staff to allow a conducive working environment in performing international duties efficiently. The charter governing the organization is based primarily on goals and principles set by the League administrative body

The lawful provisions included in the letter are established under experience and based on the principles set to govern the League. However, the charter was reluctant to discuss the functions and authoritative powers of the Secretary-General. Article 97 describes the Secretary-General as the authoritative figure who makes critical decisions in the organization excluded in the Covenant (Loveday, 1962). The specific omission in the charter made this legal responsibility requirement; therefore, giving him the full mandate to administer the administration duty of the organ. Article 97 includes the Preparatory Commission decision making and execution task in collaboration with the staff members.

In the United Nations, for instance, article 97 plays a fundamental role in the secretariat as the central figure. However, the report fails to present all the administrative functions hence raises the neutrality concern of the international civil servant responsibility. The reason behind this concern develops from Secretary General's executive duty limited to organizational shortcomings outside the political conflicts, therefore, maintaining the primary role of international civil servant as constituted in the League of Nations structure. Also, articles 98 and 99 of the constitution together offer a solution to the problems arising from neutrality, which is not included in the League of Nations (Loveday, 1962).

Article 98 of the international civil service provides the Secretary General's capacity to preside over the official meetings and other functions entrusted by the directory. This administrative functions were not included in the Covenant, therefore, holding a substantial meaning in the Charter. It is mandated to execute civil injustices even in critical situations where political conflicts might arise through the Security Council and the General Assembly. At some point, this organ may delegate such responsibilities to the Secretary-General office, which is not required by the constitution. However, by doing so, the General Assembly and the Security council organs are not violating the instructions included in the charter whatsoever (Macfadyen, Davies, Carr & Burley, 2019). This remains unclear since the office of the secretary-general is mandated solely chief administrative role by the charter and an explicit political function.

In article 99, the roles of Secretary-General of the United Nations, for example, were fully transformed from solely administrative office to other political responsibilities. Nevertheless, section 99 might not have been debated as argued where most delegates shared their opinions on the secretary general's official position and its importance in the administrative perspective of the organization (Macfadyen, Davies, Carr & Burley, 2019). According to legal scholars, this article not only consults on the rights of the Secretary-General to include the security council but also suggests the importance of informal democratic activities engagement on matters concerning international security. The new perception of functions of the administrative organ originated from the United States but not in the United Kingdom as expected.