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Why Do Some Democratic Countries Join More Intergovernmental Organizations Than Others?

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  • Denis Rey
  • John Barkdull

Abstract

Objective. This study investigates whether variations in democratic institutions influence foreign policy outcomes. Specifically, it examines whether democracies differ systematically in their inclination to join international organizations. Methods. The study performs negative binomial estimation analysis of the relationship between IGO membership and variations in democratic structure. Results. It finds that a more competitive party system and multiple legislative chambers, especially for wealthy and stable Western democracies, contribute to more IGO memberships. Conclusions. From our findings we infer that consensus democracies adopt a kinder, gentler foreign policy that includes more willingness to participate in multilateral, cooperative international institutions, relying on negotiation and compromise to reach mutually acceptable arrangements for dealing with common problems. This assertion fits with a fundamental Kantian thesis: that the more representative and accountable a society's political institutions are, the more peaceful that society is likely to be.

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  • Denis Rey & John Barkdull, 2005. "Why Do Some Democratic Countries Join More Intergovernmental Organizations Than Others?," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 86(2), pages 386-402, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:86:y:2005:i:2:p:386-402
    DOI: 10.1111/j.0038-4941.2005.00309.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Charles Boehmer & Timothy Nordstrom, 2008. "Intergovernmental Organization Memberships: Examining Political Community and the Attributes of International Organizations," International Interactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(3), pages 282-309, November.
    2. Jon CW Pevehouse & Timothy Nordstrom & Roseanne W McManus & Anne Spencer Jamison, 2020. "Tracking organizations in the world: The Correlates of War IGO Version 3.0 datasets," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 57(3), pages 492-503, May.
    3. Rajeev K. Goel & Michael A. Nelson, 2020. "Presidential Versus Parliamentary Systems: Where Do Female Entrepreneurs Thrive?," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 101(5), pages 1773-1788, September.
    4. Israel Nyaburi Nyadera & UÄŸur Yasin Asal & Billy Agwanda, 2021. "The Role of Regional Organisations in Economic Growth Among Developing Countries: A Case of the Af DB," India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, , vol. 77(3), pages 384-403, September.

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