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The Relative-Gains Problem for International Cooperation

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  • Grieco, Joseph
  • Powell, Robert
  • Snidal, Duncan

Abstract

Modern realism claims that the fear that others will enjoy relatively greater benefits frequently impedes international cooperation. Recent articles in this Review by Duncan Snidal and Robert Powell modeled conditions under which the impact of relative gains varied. Joseph Grieco criticizes Snidal's model as based on assumptions that allow him to avoid, rather than confront, the realist arguments. He also argues that Powell's model, while constructive, ignores important additional sources of sensitivity to relative gains. In response, Powell discusses the value of alternative assumptions about preferences and constraints in international relations. Snidal defends his analysis and presents an additional proof to support the independence of his central result—the diminishing impact of relative gains with increasing numbers of states—from assumptions of concern to Grieco. Both responders emphasize their work as contributing to a contextually rich theory of international politics that builds on elements of both realism and neo-liberalism.

Suggested Citation

  • Grieco, Joseph & Powell, Robert & Snidal, Duncan, 1993. "The Relative-Gains Problem for International Cooperation," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 87(3), pages 729-743, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:87:y:1993:i:03:p:729-743_10
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    Cited by:

    1. Scharpf, Fritz W. & Mohr, Matthias, 1994. "Efficient self-coordination in policy networks: A simulation study," MPIfG Discussion Paper 94/1, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
    2. Jon Hovi, 2001. "Decentralized Enforcement, Sequential Bargaining and the Clean Development Mechanism," Nordic Journal of Political Economy, Nordic Journal of Political Economy, vol. 27, pages 135-152.
    3. Kaplan Yilmaz, 2017. "China’s OBOR as a Geo-Functional Institutionalist Project," TalTech Journal of European Studies, Sciendo, vol. 7(1), pages 7-23, June.
    4. James Ashley Morrison & Avery F. White, 2011. "International Regimes and War," Chapters, in: Christopher J. Coyne & Rachel L. Mathers (ed.), The Handbook on the Political Economy of War, chapter 18, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    5. Kosuke Hirose & Toshihiro Matsumura, 2016. "Payoff interdependence and the multi-store paradox," Asia-Pacific Journal of Accounting & Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(3), pages 256-267, July.
    6. Remi Maier-Rigaud, 2008. "International Organizations as Corporate Actors: Agency and Emergence in Theories of International Relations," Discussion Paper Series of the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods 2008_07, Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods.
    7. Zeino-Mahmalat, Ellinor, 2008. "Gain Seeking in a "Double Security Dilemma": The Case of OPEC," GIGA Working Papers 71, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies.
    8. Timothy M Peterson, 2011. "Third-party trade, political similarity, and dyadic conflict," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 48(2), pages 185-200, March.
    9. Thomas Bernauer & Steffen Mohrenberg & Vally Koubi, 2020. "Do citizens evaluate international cooperation based on information about procedural and outcome quality?," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 505-529, April.
    10. James S. Mosher, 2003. "Relative Gains Concerns when the Number of States in the International System Increases," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 47(5), pages 642-668, October.
    11. Bartha, Zoltán & Sáfrányné Gubik, Andrea, 2012. "Future-, outside-, and inside-focused development paths," MPRA Paper 50900, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Matsumura, Toshihiro & Matsushima, Noriaki & Cato, Susumu, 2013. "Competitiveness and R&D competition revisited," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 541-547.
    13. Toshihiro Matsumura & Noriaki Matsushima & Susumu Cato, 2009. "Relative Performance and R&D Competition," ISER Discussion Paper 0752, Institute of Social and Economic Research, Osaka University.
    14. Stephen J. Majeski & Shane Fricks, 1995. "Conflict And Cooperation in International Relations," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 39(4), pages 622-645, December.
    15. Pieter Pauw & Kennedy Mbeva & Harro Asselt, 2019. "Subtle differentiation of countries’ responsibilities under the Paris Agreement," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-7, December.

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