What is regime theory? What are international regimes? What are different derivations of regime theory? What are different critiques of regime theory? What are the examples of international regimes? Specific case study of international regimes? Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Regime Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

1. p. 1Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Regime Theory
Becky cooper, Abdul Basit Adeel, Saskia Kawczynski

2. p. 2Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Regime Theory:
• Regimes are “implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules
and decision-making procedures around which actors’
expectations converge in a given area of international
relations.” (Krasner, 1982)
• In simple words: International Treaties, institıtions,
agreements etc.

3. p. 3Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Neo-liberal:
• Regimes facilitate cooperation
• States are Anarchic but they can share interests
• Regime = Rational Relationship COOPERATION
• Mutually beneficial agreements

4. p. 4Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Realist:
• Regimes reflect the distribution of power
• Powerful Hegemon = Successful Regime
• Regimes are put in place to secure States interests
(economic/security)
• Regimes such as IMF, General Agreement On Tariffs &
Trade were implemented to Boost American
hegemony?

5. p. 5Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Constructivist:
• Regimes can alter identities and intersts
• Our decisions will not be the same Tomorrow
• States have their own identities
• Perception is key

6. p. 6Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
The Emergence:
• To aid cooperation
• To tackle specific International problems
• To boost economic growth
• IMF
• 1944- Reconstruction of the Worlds payment system
• Countries donated to a global Pool so other countries
could loan
• No authority over Domestic policies of members
• Same set of policies for any situation

7. p. 7Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Characteristics of international Regimes
• International Regimes are created to tackle specific
international problems.
• They are composed of principles and norms.
• They also consist of rules and procedures, which have
to be in accordance with the principles and norms.
• Rules and procedures convert the norms and principles
into specific instructions.
• Short: inter. Regimes are “stets of rules meant to
govern international behavior” (Simmons+ Martin 2002).

8. p. 8Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Distinction of International Regimes
• International organizations and international Regimes
are both international Institutions.
• International organizations can function as actors in
international politics and overstep boundaries of issue
areas.
• International regimes always relate to a specific issue.
• They don’t have an administration or an office.

9. p. 9Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Further Development of Regime Theory
In the 1980s new Regimes Theories came up, which
have to be differentiated from Keohane´s Regime
Theory. The most important and influential ones are :
1. Hegemonic stability theory
2. Neoliberalism : game theory – concept
3. Two-level approach
4. Problem-oriented approach
5. The concept of epistemic communities

10. p. 10Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
1. Hegemonic stability theory (HTS)
• The formation and continued existence of international
regimes depend on the international distribution of
power.
• Charles P. Kindelberger argues that international
regimes can only exist under a hegemony of a state.
• This state has to be willing and capable of forming
international regimes and obtain the required power to
enforce the regime regulations and control its
compliance.
• Thus if the hegomony is terminated, so are the
emerged regimes .

11. p. 11Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
2. Neoliberalism: Game Theory -Concept
• It reprobates keohane´s perception that the “prisoners
dilemma” is the only possible problem-concept of
international relations.
• With help of the game theory new problem
constellations are being created that give us different
probabilities of the formation of international regimes.
• We distinguish between coordination games and the
dilemma game.
• Reason for the failure of international regimes lays in
the difference of interests.

12. p. 12Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
3. The two- level approach
• Distinguishes not only different interests of different
states but different interest within one state.
• The probability of international regimes depends not
only if the interests of the joined states are compatible.
• The intended regimes must also be compatible with the
central interest of the society in the joined states.
• International regimes are influenced at two levels.

13. p. 13Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
4. Problem-oriented Approach
• Shifts the emphasis to conflict management.
• Conflicts are not specific injurious actions between two
actors but rather incompatible differences in the
positions of actors.
• States create international regimes to resolve the
conflicts in everybody's interest.

14. p. 14Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
5. The concept of epistemic communities
• Is a network of professionals with recognized
knowledge and skill in a particular issue-area.
• International regimes depend particularly on the
distribution of knowledge in the problematic issue-area.
• If the knowledge of cause and effect –coherence on a
particular issue-area is non-consensual it decreases the
probability of international regimes.
• Especially significant in technical or very complex,
multifaceted issue areas.

15. p. 15Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
RECAP :
• What do we need those theories for ?

16. p. 16Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Criticism of International Regimes
• 1. Neorealistic criticism : developed by John Grieco in
1988.
• The given regime theories underestimate the
anarchistic structures of international politics.
• Not only a problem of trust but also a problem of
unequal distribution of gains.
• States don’t act rational.
• They are also concerned about the gains of the other
state.

17. p. 17Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Criticism
• 2. Social constructive criticism: among others
developed by Alexander Wendt 1992.
• Regimes do not solely reflect the interests of states.
• They are able to influence and even change these
interests.
• they are social institutions who enable debates and
communication.
• The process of cooperation tends to redefine and
reconstruct prior identities.

18. p. 18Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
So, why not International Regimes?
• What about anarchy?
• Unequal distribution of gains
• When hegemonic power declines, what happens to
regime?

19. p. 19Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
REGIME THEORY
EXEMPLES OF INTL. REGIMES

20. p. 20Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Recap:
• Regimes are “implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules
and decision-making procedures around which actors’
expectations converge in a given area of international
relations.” (Krasner, 1982)
• In simple words: International Treaties, Organizations
etc.

21. p. 21Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Examples

22. p. 22Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Case Study:
• Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Regime
• Aftermath of WW-II and death of millions due to the use of
nuclear weapons
• Treaty opened 1968 – Operational 1970
• Parties = 189
• Expectations: Pakistan, India, Israel, North Korea and
South Sudan

23. p. 23Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Case Study:
• Non-proliferation of nuclear arsenal
• Limiting the nuclear power to 5 and discouraging them to
help other desiring states.
• Disarmament of nuclear arsenal
• Leaving no or least possible nuclear weapons available to
use in future
• Right to peaceful use nuclear technology
• Use of civil nuclear technology for the benefit of mankind

24. p. 24Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Working:
• Setting of Rules
• Rules concerning use of nuclear technology
• Rules concerning transfer of nuclear technology from one
state to other
• Rules concerning cooperation between states in nuclear
technology
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• Makes sure nuclear technology is used only for civil
purposes
• Facilitates and supervises civil nuclear use

25. p. 25Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
Outcome:
• Success
• Predictions of 25–30 nuclear weapon states within 20
years while established
• Limited the total number to 9.
• Reduction in global nuclear arsenal
• Failure
• 4 states gained nuclear power after the establishment of
regime
 Pakistan, India, North Korea, Israel (allegedly)

26. p. 26Regime Theory | Becky Cooper , Abdul Adeel and Saskia Kawczynski | Political Science/Chair of International Relations
CONCLUSION
ANY QUESTIONS?