REVISITING THE ROOTS OF COOPERATION, WHY AND HOW STATES COOPERATE.pptx

How can a number of individuals, each behaving as a payoff maximizer, come to behave as a group and maximize joint payoffs?

1. IRL 6035 B: POLITICS & PATTERNS OF COOPERATION & CONFLICT REVISITING THE ROOTS OF COOPERATION, WHY AND HOW STATES COOPERATE (DOES COOPERATION VARY BY ISSUE AREA?)

2. The issue with these theories Takes states as the main drivers of regionalism problem: limits the field for comparison Focuses on formal institution-building at the state level problem: excludes informal networks, also limiting comparison Analyzing the EU as a separate, “special” case problem: no real distinctions that make the EU special, except that it was one of the first. Also counterproductive to real analysis

3. Euro-focus as an obstacle Difference between cooperation and integration: Cooperation is forming mutually-beneficial agreements that tend to be limited in scope and time frame. Integration is the expansion of interconnectedness, where power, control, etc. is being pooled and dealt with on a regional level (TRUE regionalism) (This distinction was one positive thing that came about as a result of the EU vs. rest of the world split) EU treated as special from the beginning, unwillingness to find similarities Assumes all instances of regionalism will look/act the same Discounts alternative, informal systems that have arisen elsewhere in the world

4. Governance as a solution Opens the floor for focus on non-state actors, equal focus “governance is not wedded to the state” (53) Includes informal and society-based organizations Makes the connection between the EU and the rest of the world. Types of institutionalized rule structures recognized: Hierarchy (authoritative vs. voluntary) Market (negotiation, bargaining, and incentives) Networks “ Shadow regionalism”: formal regional institutions provide framework “Spaghetti bowl” of complicated and interconnected business networks in Sub-Saharan Africa. Formal agreements allow for easier individual connections, and these individual connections form an interconnected web across the continent