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International relations theory and multilateralism: the search for foundations

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  • Caporaso, James A.

Abstract

Why has the concept of multilateralism not played a more prominent role in theories of international relations? The prima facie case for the importance of multilateral activity in the international realm would seem great. The world, we constantly tell ourselves, is increasingly drawn together. The Swedish economist Assar Lindbeck argues that most external effects of production and consumption are external not only to the household but also to the country in which they occur. According to many different indicators, interdependence is on the increase in nearly all parts of the world. International political economists talk about global indivisibilities, ranging from peace to pollution. Most important international problems-including pollution, energy, managing airline traffic, and maintaining rules for trade and investment-intrinsically involve many countries simultaneously. What makes a problem international is that often it cannot be dealt with effectively within the national arena. Costs and benefits spill into the external arena. These external effects are frequently so great that domestic goals cannot be accomplished without coordinated multilateral action.

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  • Caporaso, James A., 1992. "International relations theory and multilateralism: the search for foundations," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 46(3), pages 599-632, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:intorg:v:46:y:1992:i:03:p:599-632_02
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    Cited by:

    1. Stephan Keukeleire & Bas Hooijmaaijers, 2014. "The BRICS and Other Emerging Power Alliances and Multilateral Organizations in the Asia-Pacific and the Global South: Challenges for the European Union and Its View on Multilateralism," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(3), pages 582-599, May.
    2. Abdul Rahman, Nazira, 2014. "Multilateralism in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 232-238.
    3. Pierre Garaudel, 2020. "Exploring meta-organizations’ diversity and agency: A meta-organizational perspective on global union federations," Post-Print halshs-02474817, HAL.
    4. Richard Feinberg, 2006. "Presidential mandates and ministerial institutions: Summitry of the Americas, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 69-94, March.
    5. Thomas Willett, 1999. "Developments in the Political Economy of Policy Coordination," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 10(2), pages 221-253, May.
    6. Jon Skjærseth, 2003. "Managing North Sea Pollution Effectively:Linking International and Domestic Institutions," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 167-190, June.
    7. Stephen, Matthew D., 2021. "China's New Multilateral Institutions: A Framework and Research Agenda," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 23(3), pages 807-834.
    8. Bor, Özgür, 2013. "Agrarian Transformation: Power And Dominance In Markets," International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics (IJFAEC), Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Department of Economics and Finance, vol. 1(1), pages 1-12, July.
    9. Zürn, Michael, 1994. "We can do much better! Aber muß es auf amerikanisch sein? Zum Vergleich der Disziplin "Internationale Beziehungen" in den USA und in Deutschland," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 1, pages 91-114.
    10. Robert Pahre, 1994. "Multilateral Cooperation in an Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 38(2), pages 326-352, June.
    11. Garaudel, Pierre, 2020. "Exploring meta-organizations’ diversity and agency: A meta-organizational perspective on global union federations," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 36(1).
    12. Yang, Deli & Sonmez, Mahmut (Maho), 2018. "Global norm of national treatment for patent uncertainties: A longitudinal comparison between the US and China," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(2), pages 164-176.
    13. Robert O. Keohane & Elinor Ostrom, 1994. "1. Introduction," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 6(4), pages 403-428, October.
    14. Karim Knio, 2022. "Rethinking the Multilateral Order Between Liberal Internationalism and Neoliberalism/Neoliberalisation Processes," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(2), pages 6-14.
    15. Héritier, Adrienne, 1995. "Die Koordination von Interessenvielfalt im europäischen Entscheidungsprozess und deren Ergebnis: Regulative Politik als Patchwork," MPIfG Discussion Paper 95/4, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
    16. Yang, Deli & Sonmez, Mahmut, 2013. "Integration and divergence of patent systems across national and international institutions," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 48(4), pages 527-538.
    17. Michał Dulak, 2023. "Contribution of subnational authorities to multilateralism from the EU perspective—Implementation of the SDGs," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 14(S2), pages 13-21, March.
    18. Zorn, Hendrik & Schäfer, Armin & Manow, Philip, 2004. "European Social Policy and Europe's Party-Political Center of Gravity, 1957-2003," MPIfG Discussion Paper 04/6, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.
    19. Hernandez, Ariel, 2021. "SDG-aligned futures and the governance of the transformation to sustainability reconsidering governance perspectives on the futures we aspire to," IDOS Discussion Papers 30/2021, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).

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