International regimes represent an integral part of globalisation and according to Little, the number of regimes increases steadily. Moreover, regimes account for a great deal of everyday convenience, ranging from seemingly simple practices like sending a letter abroad to the most complex economic interactions. In fact, “there is now no area of international intercourse devoid of regimes, where states are not circumscribed, to some extend or other, by the existence of mutually accepted sets of rules.”
Undisputedly, the realist paradigm dominates any debate in International Relations. “Realism has dominated international relations theory at least since World War II.” It is therefore obvious to begin the search for an explanation for the growing number of international regimes and states’ willingness to participate in them within realism itself. Yet, how can realism, that regards states as sovereign units concerned primarily with their own security and survival in an anarchic international system, account for extensive cooperation in regimes?
In order to assess whether realism provides a suitable explanation for the obvious success of regimes, this essay shall compare the realist approach to the neo-liberal account of regimes. Although the existence of international regimes is acknowledged by neo-liberals and realists, the two groups have competing theories about the formation of those regimes.
Having looked at these two different approaches to explain the existence of regimes, this essay shall argue that the notion of ‘self-interest’ is, perhaps surprisingly, the very reason why states would want to participate in regimes and not at all an impediment, as the question suggests. However, the realist explanation of regimes does not stress the importance of states’ self-interest as a cause for regime formation. It is the neo-liberal regime theory that holds that self-interest is a motive for states to cooperate in regimes. Hence, this essay will conclude that the realist theory does not provide an accurate account for the creation of regimes and their durability.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Why would states that are self-interested cooperate in international regimes?
- Introduction
- The Realist Paradigm
- Neo-Liberal Theory
- Definition of a regime
- Regimes versus Organizations
- Regimes and the International System
- Anarchy and the Demand for Regimes
- Absolute Gain
- Realist Theory
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The essay aims to explore the reasons behind states' willingness to cooperate in international regimes, despite their self-interested nature. It analyzes the contrasting perspectives of realism and neo-liberalism on regime formation and participation.
- International regimes as a significant aspect of globalization
- The role of self-interest in regime participation
- Competing theories of regime formation: realism vs. neo-liberalism
- Anarchy in the international system and its impact on cooperation
- The concept of absolute gain in neo-liberal theory
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The essay introduces the topic of international regimes and their increasing prevalence in the globalized world, posing the question of why self-interested states would cooperate within them. It highlights the importance of understanding this phenomenon through the lens of realism and neo-liberalism.
- The Realist Paradigm: This section discusses the dominance of realism in International Relations theory and its core assumptions about states as sovereign entities primarily concerned with their own survival in an anarchic system. The essay explores how realism, with its emphasis on self-interest and power politics, might account for states' participation in regimes.
- Neo-Liberal Theory: This section presents the neo-liberal perspective on regimes, emphasizing the importance of self-interest as a driving force for cooperation. It defines the concept of a regime and distinguishes it from international organizations, highlighting the role of regimes in creating order and predictability in the international system.
- Definition of a regime: This subsection explains Krasner's widely accepted definition of a regime as a set of principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures that shape actors' expectations in a specific area of international relations.
- Regimes versus Organizations: This subsection explores the key differences between regimes and organizations, emphasizing that while both are international institutions, regimes lack the capacity to act independently, relying on the actions of their member states.
- Regimes and the International System: This subsection examines the role of regimes in mitigating the challenges posed by anarchy in the international system. It argues that regimes provide a framework for cooperation, leading to stability and predictability in international relations.
- Anarchy and the Demand for Regimes: This subsection analyzes the neo-liberal view that anarchy creates a demand for regimes, as states seek to maximize their gains through cooperation. The essay suggests that regimes provide a mechanism for achieving collective benefits that cannot be attained through individual action.
- Absolute Gain: This subsection explains the neo-liberal concept of absolute gain, where states seek to maximize their own benefits, regardless of the gains of other states. It argues that in a globalized world, cooperation is often more advantageous than unilateral action, leading to the formation of regimes as instruments for achieving these goals.
- Realist Theory: This section critically evaluates the realist explanation of regime formation, contrasting it with the neo-liberal account. Realists argue that states prioritize security and survival, and that economic interdependence and cooperation are secondary concerns. The essay examines whether this perspective can adequately explain the prevalence and success of international regimes.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The essay focuses on the core concepts of international relations, including international regimes, self-interest, anarchy, realism, neo-liberalism, regime formation, absolute gain, and cooperation.
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- Patrick Wagner (Autor), 2004, Why would states that are self interested cooperate in international regimes?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/24734
