Regime Theory

What are International Regimes?

"sets of implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures around which actors' expectations converge in a given area of international relations" (Krasner 1983)

- norms: standards of behavior defined in terms of rights and obligations, e.g., non-intervention, MFN treatment

- principles: beliefs of fact, causation, or rectitude, e.g., free trade generates wealth; arms control increases security

- regimes vary by “given area” or “issue-area”: regimes for trade, finance, economic development, human rights, nuclear proliferation, etc.

- there may or may not be formal international organizations (IOs) for a given regime (e.g., WTO for trade, but no central IO for human rights)

- regimes are more than one-shot agreements or cooperation for short-term self interest

- changes in principles and norms are changes of regimes; changes in rules and decision-making produces are change within regimes

Why Do Regimes Form?

- Multiple arguments rooted in economics and sociology

- 2 main views for IR

Hegemonic Stability Theory (C. Kindleberger)

- compatible with realist theories (esp. Gilpin)

- hegemon creates regimes to govern the system

- regimes will founder if hegemon weakens

o Concern in 1970s-1980s that perceived weakening of US relative power would undermine international regimes

“Demand” for Regimes (Keohane, 1982)

- states with interest in cooperation will form regimes

- success depends on compatibility of interests, willingness to compromise, and provision of information

o relative gains concerns diminish because regimes reveal information about their intentions and capabilities

o states seek “diffuse” reciprocity rather than “specific” reciprocity

Could regimes survive “after hegemony”?

- liberal were skeptical that new regimes could be formed easily, but…

- existing regimes could be maintained (Keohane, 1984)

- key states that benefited would alter contributions to maintain the regime, including declining hegemon

- primary focus on regimes for trade and monetary cooperation in 1970s and 1980s