Authoritarian Regionalism in the World of International Organizations
Global Perspective and the Eurasian Enigma
Alexander Libman author Anastassia V Obydenkova author
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Published:2nd May '19
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
The interconnection between international organizations (IOs) membership and democratization has become a topic of intense debate. However, the main focus of the literature so far has been on IOs created by democratic states and comprised mostly of democracies, for examples the European Union. In contrast to existing studies, this book focuses on another group of regional IOs, referred to as 'non-democratic IOs' which are organizations founded by autocracies. How do these newly emerged organizations interrelate and interact with the outside world? How do they counteract and confront the danger of democratization in their own member states and neighboring states? This book aims to address these questions by developing a new theory of authoritarian regionalism, and by combining both quantitative and qualitative analysis to test it. The quantitative analysis uses a large dataset of all regional organizations worldwide for the post-World War II period, with the aim of defining historical trends in development and the modification of regionalism over the last seven decades (1945-2015). Qualitative analysis refines and develops the argument by looking at the case of post-Soviet Eurasia. The book uncovers a new type of regionalism - 'authoritarian regionalism' and traces its historical roots as well as its implications for modern politics. The book is the first attempt to systematically investigate the functioning and the impact of authoritarian regionalism as a new phenomenon as well as its implications for democratization world-wide. The book contributes to the theory of regionalism, international organizations, studies of autocracies, foreign policy, and democratization world-wide.
This impressive book explores a new dimension in the relationship between political regime and international cooperation. In comprehensive empirical analysis that skillfully combines different methodological approaches and new data, the authors highlight how non-democratic regional organizations consolidate authoritarian rule through legitimation and economic benefits. The surprising finding is that international institutions form malleable political tools in the hand of leading states, whether authoritarian or democratic. * Christina L. Davis, Harvard University *
In this highly original study, Obydenkova and Libman detail how regime-type matters for international regional organizations. Through cross-national statistical analysis and detailed case studies of regional organizations in Eurasia, they show that not only do non-democratic regional organizations function differently than those led by democracies, but that regionalism also has positive benefits for these regimes in terms of legitimation and leadership survival. * Mark R. Beissinger, Princeton University *
We have few systematic studies of the politics behind and the political effects of non-democratic organizations. This book provides a rich and innovative study, which helps us understand this growing and important phenomenon. The volume is essential reading for those interested in international organizations and in authoritarian politics. * Jon C. W. Pevehouse, University of Wisconsin-Madison *
In their sophisticated, insightful Authoritarian Regionalism, Obydenkova and Libman explain how modern autocracies have avoided the once-celebrated end of history. Modern autocracies have managed this seemingly improbable outcome in part by cooperating and creating regional organizations of their own. Authors' account traces the development of such organizations from the nineteenth century to our own era. Authoritarian Regionalism is an innovative, important, and substantive contribution to international relations and comparative politics. * Rawi Abdelal, Harvard University *
A key factor in the global expansion of democracy has been the growth of democratic regional organizations. But as Obydenkova and Libman show in this groundbreaking and exhaustively researched book, these must now contend with the new and potent phenomenon of authoritarian regionalism. Non-democratic regional organizations differ markedly from their democratic counterparts, but they have a similar effect in legitimating and sustaining the dominant regime type of the organization--in this case, authoritarianism. Through ambitious quantitative analysis and revealing case studies, Libman and Obydenkova make a vital and sobering contribution to the fields of comparative politics and international relations. * Larry Diamond, Hoover Institution, Stanford University *
ISBN: 9780198839040
Dimensions: 241mm x 155mm x 25mm
Weight: 660g
336 pages