PSC 2442 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Multilateralism, Great Power, Multistakeholder Governance Model
2 views2 pages
September 11th, 2017: Multilateralism as a Policy Choice
● Elements of multilateral action
○ Many participants
○ Burden Sharing, joint-decision making, IO authorization
○ There are shades and degrees of multilateralism
● Two dimensions
○ Quantitative: action by 3+ states
○ Qualitative: relationship based on rules rather than power. Rules apply to all,
regardless of power capabilities
● Implications
○ Great power restraint: great powers must commit to following rules, not doing
whatever they want
■ Why do this? They create the rules often so they can make rules that
benefit them that they want other people to follow
○ Equality under the rules (same rules apply to everyone)
○ This creates legitimacy for the rules, empowering IOs
● Legitimacy
○ Conforms to existing laws, rules, principles, standards, or expectations
○ Depends on recognition by others
● IOs and Multilateralism
○ IOs multilateral in both dimensions
■ Involve 3+ countries, proclaim attractive principles
● Why choose multilateralism
○ Normative: expectation of most countries on a lot of issues that they will work
together
○ Functional: can’t get problems solved if everyone is not working together
○ domestic/american identity: IOs and ML solve america's problem, america did not
want an empire when it came to power. IOs allow America to write rules for the
world that others will follow that benefit America
■ Spread american interests without conquest
● Obstacles to Multilateral Action
○ Long Term vs Short Term
■ Ex) long term interest to mitigate climate change, short term interest to
politicians to please businesses
○ Election cycles
○ Uncertainty: will other countries comply? Surprise events (disease outbreak,
refugees)
○ Autonomy concern
■ Multilateral concern may force countries to do something they don’t want
○ Domestic Institutions
■ I.E. US multilateral action has issues, all treaties must be passed by
senate (separation of powers)
○ Poor Policy Process: better ways to make policy than fixed institutions with fixed
policies