essay intl. regimes final draft

8/10/2019 Essay Intl. Regimes Final Draft

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1 de octubre de 2009

[INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND REGIMES

THEORIES.]

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THEORIES.]

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.INTRODUCTION 3

. DEFINITION.4

. COMPONENTS OF REGIME5

.THE IMPORTANCE OF REGIMES.5

.FORMATION.5

.INTERNATIONAL REGIMES....6

.SECURITY REGIMES..7

.VARIABLES..8

.PRINCIPLES AND NORMS12

.DECISSION MAKING12

.ACTORS13

.THE DIFFERENT APPROACHES OF REGIME THEORY.14

.COGNITIVE REGIMES.14

.RATIONALIST REGIMES.15

.NEOLIBERAL REGIMES16

.INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND INTERNAL COORDINATION.17

.GAME THEORY.19

.COMMUNICATION REGIMES.19

.ECONOMIC REGIMES20

.IMPLICATIONS OF REGIMES.21

.THE REFORM OF REGIMES INSTITUTIONS..23

.CONCLUSION24

Formatted:Left


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THEORIES.]

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Therefore, in the following sections we will aboard more deeply the nature of Regimes

Theories as well as their components, actors, principles, rules and decision making to

comprehend the challenges and obstacles that Regimes have as well as the possible

solutions to improve and renovate the basic principles of Regimes Theories.

1.2. DEFINITION.

The consensus about a universal definition on Regime Theory has been on

discussion since 1982. As a result of this concern, in this same year, a conference was

recognized to talk about the role of International Organizations and International

Regimes, trying to find an agreement about a universal definition. However, the

definition presented in that conference by Stephen Krasner wasnt enough solid:implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules and decision-making procedures around

which actor expectations converge in a given area of international relations.3

For this reason, different policymakers have been trying to give a concrete

definition of Regime Theory. One of the most important definitions is made by Oran R.

Young which says: Regimes are social institutions governing the actions of those

involved in specifiable activities or set or activities like all institutions, they are

practices consisting of recognized roles linked together by clusters of rules,

conventions, governing relations the occupants of these roles. The Regime Theorytries to explain the intrinsic grow of interdependence among states as well as new forms

of coordination and collaboration.4

Another explanation of Regime Theory is the one presented by Robert Keohane:

Regimes are institutions with explicit rules, agreed upon governments that pertain to

particular set of issues in International relations.5 The magnitude of the founding of

basics principles toward a definition of Regimes Theory let us grasps the appliance of

International Law in the relations among actors. Even when there is a not a consensus

among with definition of Regime Theory is more complete, both definitions presentedby Young and Keohane are reasonably acceptable by analytics on Regime Theory. The

3Krasner, Stephen. Structural Causes and Regime Consequences. New York: Cornell University Press,

1983. 2.4Young, R Oran. International Cooperation: Bulding Regimes for Natural Resources. s.f. 11.

5Keohane, Robert. Neoliberal Institutions: A perspective on World Politics. s.f.


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THEORIES.]

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power and coercion, self-interest and reciprocal benefits as well as the liberal tradition

are the primal motives for the institutionalization of Regimes and the function that they

have in the international arena in the conception of international governance and the

behavior of States.6

1.3.COMPONENTS OF REGIMES

The principle components of Regimes are the following:

PRINCIPLES

NORMS

RULES

DECISSION MAKING

PROCEDURES

According to Keohane and Nye7, the components of a Regime are needed to

regularized the behavior and control its effects. In addition, for Hedley Bull8, these

components make possible the adherence of the institutions by formulating,

communicating, administering, enforcing, interpreting, legitimating and adopting the

requirements that involved the acceptance of a Regime.

THE IMPORTANCE OF REGIMES.

(1)FORMATION.

The main aim of Regimes is the facilitation of agreements. The concept of

Regimes implies not only norms and expectations that make possible cooperation, but

a form of cooperation that is more than the following of short term self interest9. In

view of the fact that Regimes include principles and norms, the utility function that is

being maximized must embody some sense of general obligation one such principle;

reciprocity, is emphasized in general obligation. Therefore, in a world of sovereign

6Andreas Hasenclever, Peter Mayer,Volker Rittberger. Theories of International Regimes. s.f. 12.

7 Krasner, Stephen. International Regimes. s.f. 2.

8Hedley, Bull. Anarchical Society. Columbia University Press, 1977.

9 Krasner, Stephen. Structural Causes and Regime Consequences. New York: Cornell University

Press, 1983. 2.


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states, the primal function of Regimes is to coordinate states behavior to achieve desired

outcomes in particular issue-areas.10

The formation of regimes responds to the

necessity to establish agreements in a long term, avoiding the selfish interest on the

states and creating common interest. As an example, the idea of collective security,

transforms the regimes in market of transactions where the interested can have possible

outcomes as well the other part.11

However, the ideal of the regimes is the creation of a

system regulate by the interest of two or more parts taking into account that the main

condition for the continuance of Regime is the specific auto protection of states: egoistic

self-interest. Consequently, the regime materialization is the product of the

disorganization produced mainly after WWII and the possible decline of U.S as the

hegemony. As a result of this possible threat, the dominance of institutions of the postwar period: The United Nations, The World Bank, The International Monetary Fund,

The General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade, reflect the values of American central

decision makers. The United States had used its material resources and prestige to

nurture and sustain these institutions.12

1. International Regimes

While everyone agrees that International Regimes exist; defining at what point

one does or does not exist is quite problematic. Interest based theories like

neoliberalism and rationalism define the existence of regimes differently than the

cognitive theories. There is however a generally accepted definition known as the

consensus definition. This section is devoted to attempting to explain what constitutes

an International Regime with regards to different theories on regimes and how the

theories differ from each other on a few key points as to how to define the presence of a

regime. The consensus definition was written by Stephen Krasner. Krasners consensus

definition states that an international regime is:

Implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules, and decision-making

procedures around which actors expectations converge in a given area

10Krasner, Stephen. Structural Causes and Regime Consequences. New York: Cornell University

Press, 1983.7.11

Krasner, Stephen. Structural Causes and Regime Consequences. New York: Cornell University

Press, 1983.3.12

Krasner, Stephen. Structural Causes and Regime Consequences. New York: Cornell University

Press, 1983.8.


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of international relations. Principles are beliefs of fact, causation and

rectitude. Norms are standards of behavior defined in terms of rights

and obligations, rules are specific prescriptions or proscriptions for

action. Decision-making procedures are prevailing practices for making

and implementing collective choice.

From this definition, it is important to note that International Regimes are not physical

entities but rather ideas that provoke reactions from actors13

. This is not to say that

organizations and regimes are completely separate. Many organizations create regimes

by making norms, rules, etc. Regimes however, unlike organizations, dont have the

ability to act14

As previously said, the States interest based on theories defines regimes in

different ways than the cognitive theories. Cognitive theories focus on regimes in a

more sociological sense15. This means that regimes are observed through the way in

which people or actors react to the norms, rules and other aspects. In the interest based

theories regimes are summed up by the games theory models. The battle of the sexes

defines how rationalism sees regimes where as neoliberals believes that regimes are

meant to solve the prisoners dilemma.

Unfortunately none of these definitions are perfect which has caused dissentagainst regime theory. An example of this is the idea put forth by Susan Strange, who

claims that because of the vague description of regimes that the study of them is

doomed to failure16

. Susan Strange describes the definition of regimes as wooly and

imprecise. The lack of consensus has also led to the many different theories which

many believe can be used as an amalgamation to come to a closer understanding of

international regimes.

2.1 Security Regimes

13Brahm, Eric. International Regimes. . September 2005.

14Andreas Hasenclever, Peter Mayer,Volker Rittberger. Theories of International Regimes. s.f. 179

15Brahm, Eric. International Regimes. . September 2005.



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As this paper has made clear, defining when a regime does or does not exist can

confound even the most intuitive or researchers. It is generally well established that you

can only observe regimes indirectly through the effects that they have on actors. By

this, observing regimes could be made easier if there is an organization that can seen,

and which has been formed to establish rules, norms, and principles on an international

playing field. This section is devoted to viewing regimes through organizations whose

principle functions are International Security. The first organization discussed will be

the security regime of the Iroquois League which existed in upstate New York, prior to

European interactions. After this the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will be

discussed. Finally the United Nations Security Council and how it has formed a

security regime. Brief attention will also be given to the Association of Southeast AsianNations.

One concrete example of Security Regimes is the Association of Southeast

Asian Nations that was created in august 1967 to promote peace and stability in the

region. In addition, the association creates links of cooperation and collaboration based

in mutual respect of all the members, protecting the sovereignty, the right of non-

interference, promoting the peaceful settlements of disputes and the condemnation of

the use of force as a tool of effective cooperation.17

Iroquois League

The Iroquois League is arguably one of the best examples of a security regime as it

existed from around the year 1450 C.E to 1777 C.E when it was peacefully dissolved18

.

The Iroquois League was a group of originally five and then later six Native American

nations who had expensive conflicts with each other. Due to the high cost of the

conflicts, those five nations decided to join together to form a security regime and

follow norms, rules, and procedures in hopes that the other members would follow as

well19

. The Iroquois League followed a rule which they called the Great Law. This law

was based on the myth of a man who called for peace, the legend of the leaders

17http://www.aseansec.org/about_ASEAN.html18Crawford, Neta C. A security regime among democracies: cooperation among Iroquois nations. June

22 1994.

19Crawford, Neta C. A security regime among democracies: cooperation among Iroquois nations. June

22 1994.


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conversion to peace, and the principles of the league20

. The main principle of the

Iroquois League was stated as so:

I Dekanwidah, and the Union Lords now uproot the tallest pine tree

and in the cavity thereby made we cast all weapons of war We burry

them from sight and we plant again the tree. Thus shall the Great Peace

be established and hostilities shall no longer be known between the Five

Nations but peace to the United People.

Every five years the members of these nations would reconvene to see if they were all

of the same opinion about this matter and if they were the regime would stay in place21

.

The Iroquois Leagues peace lasted until as stated 1777 C.E when the Revolutionarywar in North America caused division amongst the nations on whether they should join

with the 13 colonies or Great Britain. As they could not reach a consensus the league

was peacefully abolished22.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is another example of an

organization which has created as a Security Regime. More specifically, by the

neoliberal standards, NATO would be a forum which helps nations to overcome the

prisoners dilemma. This is because the principle purpose of NATO is to provide a

forum in which members can discuss security matters. NATO has established manyrules, norms, and principles which are stated in the North Atlantic Treaty which was

made in 194923. This includes promoting peace as stated in the UN charter and the

promotion of stability. Relating to security, members of NATO agree to aid each other

for collective defense which is an important example of cooperation, and to consult with

each other on matters of security as well. An example of the security regime at work

would be after the terrorist attacks to the World Trade Center in New York (9/11)

which, due to article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, was considered an attack to all


22 1994.


22 1994.


22 1994.

23


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members. This is why NATO forces have been deployed in Afghanistan24

. Had the

nations not abided by this treaty the regime would have been weakened.

Finally the United Nations Security Council; this is an organization which

has created a very important security regime within the international system. The

United Nations Security Council has variable functions. Two of these are the

maintenance of international peace and security. NATO, under article 5 of the North

Atlantic Treaty must actually report to the Security Council in the event of an attack so

that the Security Council can act to maintain international peace and security25

. The

Security Council as an organization has created many norms, rules and principles in the

form of resolutions which other states are expected to respect due to the fact they are

legally binding. This is how the United Nations Security Council is a regime. If nations

did not respond to these resolutions made by the Security Council repeatedly, the

security regime would cease to exist, regardless of whether the Security Council did or

did not26

.

3. VARIABLES

Regimes could be conceived of as intervening variables between basic causal

factors and related outcomes and behavior becomes relevant27

. To understand the

conditions that allow the creation of regimes is necessary explain the followingvariables:

Egoistic Self Interest: The party (state) tries to maximize its own utility

without taking in consideration the other. The party is only concerned about the

other if the others actions could have adverse effects on said party only is

concerned about the other if this could prejudice the utility or interest of the

other .

Power: The most developed countries must believe that others share the same

values. Therefore, the achievement of common goals and joining action will be

optima.

24

25


27Andreas Hasenclever, Peter Mayer,Volker Rittberger. Theories of International Regimes. s.f.


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actors. Each of these three has varying degrees and theories within themselves as well.

There is the Cognitive theory of regimes which is more focused on studying regimes

through how norms are perceived. Then there are the Rationalist theories on regimes,

which picture regimes as less robust than the Neoliberal theories. Finally the Neoliberal

theories on regimes which in recent years have become the most used way of

researching International Relations35

. There is also the constructivist view which will

be explained briefly.

7.1. Cognitive Regimes

Cognitive theories of regimes tend to revolve around the perception of norms as

opposed to compliance to them. This would be in contrast to the Behavioralist theory ofregimes which is based on empirical evidence with regards to the following of norms.

36

In this theory, State actors adhere to norms and regulations are the basis to weather a

regime exists or not. If an actor repeatedly does not follow norms or regulations the

regime would be said not to exist37

. It is important to note that perfect adherence is not

required but non-adherence detracts from the robustness of the regime38

. The empirical

evidence in this example being that the regime can only be observed through the actions

of the actor. In the cognitive theories of regimes adherence or non-adherence is not

needed to observe the regime but rather how the adherence or non-adherence is

perceived by actors39. Also societal perceptions of adherence can be telling of when

regimes exist.

7.2.Rationalist Regimes

Rationalist theories tend to describe regimes as being less impactful than the

other theories on regimes. In the rationalist theories, actors are self-interested and are

only concerned with maximizing their own gains40

. With this it is important to say that

35Andreas Hasenclever, Peter Mayer,Volker Rittberger. Theories of International Regimes. s.f. 183. 36

Andreas Hasenclever, Peter Mayer,Volker Rittberger. Theories of International Regimes. s.f. 180.



39Andreas Hasenclever, Peter Mayer,Volker Rittberger. Theories of International Regimes. s.f. 181 .

40Grainca, Valdrin. Great Powers Behavior Towards International Regimes. Linkpin University


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in rationalist theories everything is considered to be zero sum41

. This means that for one

actor to gain something another must lose something to maintain equilibrium. This is

also why actors in realist theories are said to be envious of other actors42. Power is

derived from material forces within the rationalist theory43

. Unlike the neoliberal

theories, the rationalist theories believe that a regime can only have influence if it is

created by a hegemony that has a monopoly on the power. In rationalist theories if this

power is evened out the regime, it will lose its influence44

. While both neoliberal and

rationalist theories state that regimes are important they are somewhat marginalized in

the rationalist theory45

. The rationalist theory argues that although states want to work

together they will fail because of their self-interest. This can best be described by the

battle of the sexes model46

. The rationalist theory also believes in relative gains asopposed to absolute gains. This means that actors follow zero sum policies so any

interaction between them maintains the equilibrium47

. Due to this, actors do not wish to

engage in relations if the other actor will benefit because this benefit comes at the others

loss.

7-3.Neoliberal Regimes

The Neoliberal Theories of regimes which are also known as interest-based

theories believe that an actors power is described by their ability to reach agreements48

.

This is in contrast to the definition of power stated above for rationalist theories. Due to

this idea of power, Neoliberal theories value regimes abilities to make forums where

nations can get together to achieve common interests49. The prisoners dilemma is







47Rouseau, David L. Relative and Absolute Gains: Beliefs and Behavior in International Politics.

University of Pennsylvania. 1 July (1999) p.3.48

Grainca, Valdrin. Great Powers Behavior Towards International Regimes. Linkpin University



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thusly very important in neoliberal theories50

. This is because each state has its own

interests at heart and in the case of the prisoners dilemma, each state will testify against

the other with the hope that they will get the minimal punishment. This is an example

of absolute gains because the state takes into account all aspects and chooses the option

that will benefit it the most. They also do this with the knowledge that the other state

has its own interest at heart and cannot be trusted; because of this each will get the five

year sentence as they were unable to work for the common good with each other51

.

Another important aspect about neoliberal theories is that like rationalist theories, actors

are thought to act with self interest52

. It is important to note however that unlike the

rationalist theories the neoliberal theories are not zero sum. Therefore in neoliberal

theories something which is advantageous to an actor does not necessarily have to be adisadvantage to another actor. This is why as opposed to the rationalist theories;

neoliberal theories believe that actors are not envious of each other53

in this sense;

actors in neoliberal theories can be considered as autonomous54

. Neoliberal theories use

absolute gains in contrast to the rationalist theories which use the relative gains model.

The neoliberal theories using the nonzero sum policy believe that all actors can benefit

from interactions55.

The Constructivist Theory on International Regimes focuses more on actors

personal views as opposed to general definitions given to fit all actors. An example ofthis is the constructivist idea of power. In constructivism, power is described as coming

from the states interests and being more social56

. The states interests in constructivist

theory are also socially defined and vary from actor to actor. Constructivism also states

that an actors interests are dynamic57

. This is in contrast to the neoliberal and



52Ibid s.f. 184.

53Ibids.f. 196.

54Ibid s.f. 184.

55Rouseau, David L. Relative and Absolute Gains: Beliefs and Behavior in International Politics.

University of Pennsylvania. 1 July (1999) p.3.56




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rationalist theories which believe that interests are more static58

. This does, however,

mean that both the rationalist definition and the neoliberal definition could fit within the

constructivists if an actors interest conformed to saiddefinitions.

8. International Cooperation and International Coordination

Another very important topic relating to regimes theory is how actors choose to

work together. In the two interests based theories these interactions are divided into the

topics of cooperation, coordination, and collaboration. Liberalist theories believe that

actors are capable of cooperation as opposed to rationalist theories which do not. In

examples of coordination, however, both rationalists and liberalist agree to its

usefulness on some level.

In the liberalist theory on regimes theory, cooperation is viewed as a favorable

aspect. The problem with cooperation is the games theory model of the single-play

prisoners dilemma.59

This is because all actors are considered to be self interested.

This means that they cannot be trusted to cooperate even if the outcome is potentially

better.60Liberalism stresses that using forums created by international regimes makes

cooperation possible. This is because it allows the actor to have knowledge of how the

other actor will act in a situation. It also mitigates the advantages of cheating the other

actor which in essence causes more cooperation

61

. Liberalist theories also believe thatregimes help in fostering cooperation because the norms, rules, principles, and decision

making procedure (if broken) can affect an actor in other issues outside of the one in

which the abuse was inflicted. Also because liberalist views are not zero sum

cooperation does not have to result in a loss to either participant. In rationalist theories,

it is believed that actors would like to cooperate with one another but since they are self

interested they will fail. This is the classic battle of the sexes model. Also because of


59 Andreas Hasenclever, Peter Mayer,Volker Rittberger. Theories of International Regimes. s.f. 185




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the realist use of the zero sum idea cooperation can be damaging to an actor and

therefore it is not advantageous. An example of international cooperation could be the

Montreal protocol. In this protocol nations agreed to phase out the use of ozone

depleting chemicals within a set amount of time.62

Coordination between actors is accepted by both liberalist and realist theories

because it is thought to be self enforcing63. This is because in most cases, if an actor

chooses not to coordinate with other actors they can be at a disadvantage if the thing

they are coordinating on is of any significant importance. This was a problem which

the Confederacy had during the United States civil war. As opposed to the Union, the

Confederacy did not coordinate on the sizes of railroad tracks which led to problems

when trying to move things over great distances. Another example would be how many

countries share the same traffic signals red for stop and green for go. If however, the

topic is not seen as important, coordination will not be seen as necessary64

In contrast to coordination, collaboration needs to be enforced in some manner

for actors to adhere to it65

. This is because collaboration falls under the category of the

prisoners dilemma. This means that the other actors do not have an inward reason to

comply with the others so they will do what is in their own interest 66. Due to

collaboration, regimes need transparency so that actors can be reassured about trusting

one another

9. Game Theory

In regimes theory it is very important to know how the Game Theory affects the

choices of different actors in the international playing field. Game theory is used to

illustrate different aspects of actors and to anticipate how they will act in given

situations with set choices. Game theory does this through the use of thought

experiments67

such as the prisoners dilemma and the battle of the sexes. Game theory

62www.ciesin.org/TG/PI/POLICY/montpro.html63





67A thought experiment is a simplified way of explaining a complex question through the use of a story

or situation-


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also pertains to zero sum and non-zero sum theories which different theories on regimes

use.

It is important to understand the basics of zero sum and nonzero sum ideas. In a

zero sum situation, equilibrium must be maintained so a gain by one is a loss by

another68

. In a nonzero sum situation both parties are able to act independently without

affecting the other69.

The prisoners dilemma is an example of a single-play game70

. The basic

premise of the prisonersdilemma; which was first put into these contexts by Albert W.

Tucker; is that there are two people who have been arrested and are separated from each

other. The police dont have enough evidence to convict them so they go to each onewith the same offer. Each prisoner has the option of either testifying against the other

prisoner or remaining silent. If both of the prisoners remain silent they each will receive

a six month sentence. If one testifies and the other remains silent the one who testified

is allowed to go free and the one who remained silent must spend the next ten years in

jail. If both of the prisoners testify against each other then they will both receive a five

year sentence. If the prisoner is self interested then the obvious choice is to testify

against the other prisoner because regardless of the others choice you will receive the

better option or at least and equal one. Assuming that the other prisoner is self

interested as well makes testifying the best option to take if there can be no mediation

between the two.

The battle of the sexes is another game theory model by Richard Little. This

model states that

The scenario of this game envisages a couple who have just fallen in

love and decide to go on holiday together. The problem is that one

wants to go hiking together in the mountains and the other wants to visit

art galleries and museums in the city. But both prefer to be with theirpartner than to go on holiday alone.

68Grainca, Valdrin. Great Powers Behavior Towards International Regimes. Linkpin University 69

Grainca, Valdrin. Great Powers Behavior Towards International Regimes. Linkpin University 70

Rouseau, David L. Relative and Absolute Gains: Beliefs and Behavior in International Politics.

University of Pennsylvania. 1 July (1999) p.4.


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The premise of this is that even though the couple wants to be together, because of their

self interests they will fail to cooperate which creates a lose-lose situation for the both

of the involved parties71.

10.. COMUNICATION REGIMES.

I. THE MASS MEDIA DECLARATION:(Kaarle Nordenstreng)

The declaration of the UNESCO regarding the regulation of mass comunication

is undoubtly a good example of the matter of Regimes in the internatinal community.

The declaration established on 28th

november of 1978 was created mainly to address the

inequality existence in the world specially for those whose have not a priviliged

conditions of life, and, therefore, they can have the same opportunities to be part of the

society that has contact with mass media communition. Besides, the UNESCO

addressed the necessity to make possible the free circulation of information and

images as part of the values required for the education, peace and development of the

most needed. In fact, according to the Human Rights Declaration adopted in 1948 by

the member states of the UN, in article 19 stipulates that all human beings have the right

to express themselve according to their personal beliefs and they capable of research,

exchange ideas and knowledge as part of their inherent freedom.72

The intend of the

declaration is the comprehension of each other throught knowledge and information.The spreed of communication among regions, regarding the geographical situations in

the search for respect without taking in consideration race, personal belifs and social

conditions.

11. ECONOMIC REGIMES

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.

The international Monetary Found was created in 1944 as part of the Bretton

Woods agreement. 44 countries signed the agreement that had as purpose the

maitainance of exchange rates for international free trade, especially after the end of the

71Grainca, Valdrin. Great Powers Behavior Towards International Regimes. Linkpin University 72

www.portal.unesco.org.
http://www.portal.unesco.org/http://www.portal.unesco.org/


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WWII. The avoidance of a crisis such as The Great Depresion and the estimulation of

economies of the devastated countries was the main duty of these Regime.73

However,

the role of this institutions was also the assistance of Less Development Countries

giving loans in retribution of domestic policy changes. This regime scope was the

regulation of maladjustments in the balance of payments to control any further crisis.

The economic Regimes look for the development of the countries as well as the

estability in their domestic politics for the maintance of the status quo.

12. THE IMPLICATIONS OF REGIMES

12.1. The importance of Regimes

The foundation of Regimes responds to the need to explain the possibility,

conditions and consequences of international governance further than anarchy and short

of supranational government in a given issue area.74

Governance with or without

government is distinguished from anarchy by the fact that states and other international

actors recognized the existence of obligations and feels compelled for specific reasons

to honor them by their behavior. As a result, International Regimes are more specialized

arrangements that affect to self defined activities. Indeed, Regimes are the platform for

the discussion of warning issues that threat the international community as well the

binding for further cooperation and collaboration among states.

12.2Criticism of the theory

While Regimes Theory is widely accepted, it has faced many criticisms from

people who dont believe it is the best way to study this topic area within international

studies. In this section, the focal point will first be criticisms of the regime theory which

have been postulated. The second section will focus on the defense of regime theory in

the face of such criticisms.

One of the main problems facing regime theory is the definition of regime it self.

As illustrated previously in this paper, regimes can prove difficult to define and vary

greatly. This has lead to dissent among some to regimes theory. One such dissenter is

73Vreeland, Raymond. IMF and Economic Development. 9.

74Rittberger Volker, Mayer Peter. Regimes Theory and International Relations. Oxford University Press,

s.f.


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Susan Strange. Susan Strange has stated that the current definitions of regimes are too

expansive and try to cover too many aspects leaving the definition vague. Due to this

Susan Strange has declared that the definitions of regimes are wooly75. Strange

stipulates that due to the vagueness of the definitions of regimes, regimes theory will

not persist76

.

Although Susan Strange brings up a valid point in the difficulty of defining

regimes; is it really enough to scrap the theory in hopes of a better alternative? Many

would disagree. While the definition of a regime might not be precise there is as stated

earlier a consensus definition which provides a relatively good explanation of regimes77

.

Many would also contend that the multiple definitions of regimes with the varying

theories can be used to create a stronger theory than any individual one 78

12.3. States, interstates and civil society relations

The specific object of Regime analysis is the core of the intertwined relations

among regimes and the states actors. The states are the specific issue areas where the

normative and legalization lay upon with a certain norms, rules and procedures that

allow the establishment of social order by self-regulation in International Relations. The

scopes of actors involved in Regimes are quite diverse including in the activities:

private entities, multinational corporations, banks, fishing companies, NGOS, civilsociety and other79. Nonetheless, the rules and norms are universal principles that are

requirements for all the members that are part of the Regime that is: primary concern

about the creation of obligations that do not respond to class-based forms.

13. THE REFORM OF THE REGIME INSTITUTIONS




78Andreas Hasenclever, Peter Mayer,Volker Rittberger. Theories of International Regimes. s.f. 177..

79Rittberger Volker, Mayer Peter. Regimes Theory and International Relations. Oxford University Press,

s.f.


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13.1. Critics.

The Regime critics considered that they are served and managed by an organizationbody recognized with a particular function in mind; while others are served by an

organization established for another purposes. In the previous case, the institutional

setting which a regime was formed often is different from the setting in which it is

implemented.80In addition, the following problems are to be considered:

13.2. Problems of Coordination: Even institutions are characterized by perfect

harmony of interest coordination behavior; which may be required to guarantee

collective best possible outcomes. However coordination could face the next troubles:

Incompatibility of individual choices

Different routes that lead into collective optimum

Compatibility taken for granted without consensus

13.3Problems of Incongruity: Post benefit calculations of an individual actor are

systematically based on the cost of opportunities of the benefits of a particular course of

actions. The common welfare is more needed that the own welfare.81

14. CONCLUSION.

Regimes emerge as the requirement of the international community. The

devastation left by the lack of norms, rules, procedures and decision making which help

us to achieve common goals; such as international collective security and peace, lead

the creation of regimes that help us to avoid other catastrophes like WWI and WWII.

Even when regimes at first instance where established with the basic principle to deter

any act of threat in the international community, the role of regimes have been evolving

within time. Nowadays, there are multiple scopes and targets that regimes cover. In

addition, regimes have the power of create custom and habits needed to create

precedents in the regulation of international law Yet, the critics of regime considered

that unidirectional actions could be hidden in regimes for the hegemony, the history has

80Miles, Edward. Environmental Regime Efectiveness: Confronting Theory with evidence.s.f. 17

81Miles, Edward. Environmental Regime Efectiveness: Confronting Theory with evidence.s.f. 18


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prove that in the majority of cases, regime has been an important tool to achieve human

rights, economic trade preferences, basic freedoms and security needed to subsist in this

anarchical world.

The game theory models are quite possibly the most easy to understand part of

regimes theory. This is because they use thought experiments which make things far

more clear than the often esoterically verbose prattling of the people who have written

on this topic. The simplifications within these short stories illuminate some of the most

complex ideas; including how actors react in given situations depending on theories

with situations which the reader can relate to. It was also interesting to see how there

could be two so very different ideas about the same theory. By this I mean the zero sum

and nonzero sum ideas. This is why it seems like each theory can have its usefulness in

specific situations. For example, a war would obviously be zero sum where as trade

could potentially be nonzero sum with both actors benefitting from the interaction.

Relating to the multiple theories of regimes, the lack of a clear definition is

certainly hurting the arguments for the study. The wooliness of this topic makes it

hard to understand exactly what a regime is. I found it very interesting however those

regimes, for the most part, can only be observed indirectly much like a black hole which

essentially appears as a void but can be viewed by its effects on other objects in space.

Each definition of regimes has something to offer in different situations though. For

example if you were in a prisoners dilemma it would make sense to go with rationalist

thoughts and choose the most effective means of self maintenance if you do not know

how the other person is going to act. However if there is the possibility of cooperation

then you would obviously take it going by the liberalist view. The definitions of power

also seem applicable in different situations. Certainly being able to reach agreements

can be perceived as power in some cases but the material aspect of power has its uses as

well. The cognitive theory of regimes to me, it seems the most scientific but even then

it seems to border on the line of psychology which is not as concrete as many otherforms of science.

International regimes suffer from the same wooliness as all things in the regime

theory. This makes it hard to understand them but in reality regimes are such an

abstract concept that it would be nearly impossible to derive when one truly exists or


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not. It would be interesting to see exactly where they come from, especially the ones

that are without organizations and seem to be more caused by human nature than

anything.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

Andreas Hasenclever, Peter Mayer,Volker Rittberger. Theories of International Regimes. s.f.

12.

Brahm, Eric. International Regimes. . September 2005.

Cees J. Hamelink, Olga Linn,James Dermot Halloran. Mass Communication Research. s.f. 4.

Crawford, Neta C. A security regime among democracies: cooperation among Iroquois

nations. June 22 1994.


Hedley, Bull. Anarchical Society. Columbia University Press, 1977.

Keohane, Robert. Neoliberal Institutions: A perspective on World Politics. s.f.

Krasner, Stephen. International Regimes. s.f. 2.

Krasner, Stephen. Structural Causes and Regime Consequences. New York: Cornell

University Press, 1983. 2.

Miles, Edward. Environmental Regime Efectiveness: Confronting Theory with evidence. s.f.

45.

NATO homepage .

Rittberger Volker, Mayer Peter. Regimes Theory and International Relations. Oxford University

Press, s.f.

Rouseau, David L. Relative and Absolute Gains: Beliefs and Behavior in International Politics.

University of Pennsylvania. 1 July (1999)

vreeland, Raymond. IMF and Economic Development. 9.

Wendt, Alexander. Social Theory of International Politics. s.f. 19.

Young, R Oran. International Cooperation: Bulding Regimes for Natural Resources. s.f. 11.


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essay intl. regimes final draft

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