Trajectories of regional cooperation: a comparative analysis

Abstract

Cooperation between states takes place in International Organizations (IOs) and Regional Organizations (ROs). Since we know more about the evolution of cooperation in IOs than ROs, this paper examines trajectories of regional cooperation. Based on a novel dataset, it provides a descriptive analysis of how all 76 ROs developed over time. This reveals that regional cooperation evolved in two waves with respect to RO size as well as the policy areas of cooperation. The paper adopts an explorative approach to examine these patterns. This reveals that ROs with regional courts and ROs which adopt a model of dynamic change are more likely to broaden their policy scopes. In addition, during the Cold War, ROs with initially broad policy scopes were less likely to obtain additional competencies, while after 1990 ROs were more likely to broaden their policy scopes when they are large in size, when their members are economically strong and when majority decisions are possible in their day-to-day operation.

Health policy competencies in regional organizations: a retrospective analysis for 76 regional organizations from 1945 to 2015

“…International organization studies usually research policy competencies from two different dimensions, the scope of policy competencies (from the horizontal dimension) and the size of policy competencies (from the vertical dimension) which are composed of autonomy and bindingness [ 6 , 44 – 46 ]. Research on the policy competencies of international organizations in the past has primarily consisted of theoretical and case studies, such as the study on competencies of the European Union [ 47 ].…”

“…The ROCO I database also differentiates between external and internal domains for each policy competence, based on buzzwords that define the context of the application. Hence, the health policy scope of a regional organization, conceptualized as the number of different health policy competencies it covers in a given year, can theoretically range from 0 to 28, including 14 internal and 14 external health policy competencies [ 6 ].…”

“…However, regional integration, closely intertwined with globalization and emerging as a response, is increasingly seen as a global trend amidst deglobalization and slow globalization [ 4 , 5 ]. As a result, regional organizations have gained popularity as institutionalized forms of cooperation between three or more states based on geographical criteria, concerning more than one specific issue, with a set of primary rules and a headquarters or secretariat [ 6 , 7 ]. Almost every country is a member of at least one regional organization.…”

“…The approach of granting authority is primarily outlined in the legal documents of the organization, such as the charter, treaties, and agreements. Specifically, The health policy competencies of regional organizations were defined as mandates to create regional health laws and policies, as well as authorities that allow member states to undertake collective actions in the health field [ 6 , 7 ]. The examination of the health policy competencies of regional organizations is essential, as it constitutes an important prerequisite for regional organizations to develop health policy instruments, which is a core element of global health governance [ 6 ].…”

Why Asian states cooperate in regional arrangements: Asian regionalism in comparative perspective

“…It was coded, based on the body of RO primary law. 31 Next to founding treaties, this includes treaty changes, protocols, and annexes that are part of RO treaties. These documents were coded in order to obtain information on RO policy competencies for the creation of secondary law and the making of soft law, as well as competencies allowing for collective action of RO members, or for other RO activities.…”