The place and role of international organizations in the system of international relations

The aim of this study is to identify the role of international organizations in the modern system of international relations and to determine the factors that influence their ability to act as fully-fledged subjects of world politics. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive methodological approach was applied, involving a combination of theoretical-comparative analysis (neorealism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism) and examination of specific institutions. The research also draws on neo-institutional and sociological institutional perspectives, which make it possible to take into account not only the formal rules and interests of states but also bureaucratic culture, normative practices, and mechanisms of social influence within international organizations. As a result of the study, it was established that a high level of bureaucratic professionalism and the availability of their own resources enable some international organizations to push beyond the boundaries set by nation-states, thereby acquiring significant freedom of action. However, when subject to overwhelming control by member states, these organizations lose their actual independence, turning into instruments for pursuing narrow national goals. Practical findings indicate that even with the formal enshrinement of the subjectivity of international organizations, their real autonomy remains in question and largely depends on the balance of interests among states, bureaucratic structures, and transnational actors. A «neutrality threshold» was also identified: organizations maintain their impartiality and the trust of the international community only if they possess sufficient institutional resilience and resource independence. Finally, delegating authority to international organizations can enhance their subjectivity; however, states often limit this freedom through mechanisms of political and financial control. The theoretical significance of the work lies in refining the concept of the «autonomy of international organizations» within different paradigms, while the practical significance lies in the possibility of taking into account the identified factors that constrain the sovereign space of organizations when developing and reforming mechanisms of global governance.