1. Institutions and their role in shaping European Security
INSTITUTIONALISM
Institutions and their role
in shaping European Security

2. Contemporary approaches to institutionalism
Institutions
include any form of constraint (formal or informal) that human beings devise to shape their interaction
reduce uncertainty by establishing a stable structure to human interaction
Contemporary approaches to institutionalism
Historical institutionalism (1960s)
Rational choice instutionalism (late 1970s)
Sociological institutionalism (late 1970s)

3. Historical institutionalism
formal political institutions matter: but which ones and how?
the institutional structure of the polity is a crucial factor behind behaviour and outcomes
‘structuralism’ (institutions) vs. ‘functionalism’ (needs)
a state consists of institutions which are able to influence group conflict

4. rules, conventions, norms, etc.
Key concepts of historical institutionalism
Institutions:
organizations
rules, conventions, norms, etc.
provide an environment for individuals, who benefit by following certain patterns of behaviour
disproportionately distribute power across social groups
are central in determining historical development
are never a single factor

5. Rational choice institutionalism
draws on ‘new economics of organization’ and ‘theories of agency’
institutions are both object and consequence of choice
development of institutions lowers the cost of undertaking the same activity without them
superiors (principals) monitor and influence behaviour of their subordinates (agents)

6. Relevant actors have a fixed set of preferences or tastes
Key concepts of rational choice institutionalism
Relevant actors have a fixed set of preferences or tastes
Politics is a series of collective action dilemmas
Institutions structure interactions, providing actors with exchange mechanisms, which leads to potentially better outcomes
Institutions are created by voluntary agreement by actors who share common goals/values, in order to realize them (gains from cooperation => origins of institutions)

7. Sociological institutionalism
Originates from the subfield of organization theory
Institutions are:
- culturally-specific
- moral templates
Individuals internalize the norms associated with institutional roles (=> identity and preferences)
Individuals perceive their actions in a particular context

8. Studies of international institutions
Early postwar period (LoN, UN, GATT, IMF)
Behaviouralism
Neofunctionalism
International regimes

9. Robert O. Keohane and Joseph S. Nye
Power and Interdependence: World Politics in Transition (1977)
international issues, developments in technology, global trade will create a new environment where states and their use of force will be of little importance
After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the World Political Economy (1984)
‘prisoner’s dilemma’
hegemony: a contributing factor, not a necessary condition
international regimes
collective action
transaction costs (bounded rationality)
uncertainty and information deficit

10. Institutional theories
liberal institutionalism
collective security theory
critical theory

11. Institutionalism vs. realism
Debates since 1980s
How institutions matter?
Do they really have an impact on state behaviour?
Collaboration vs. coordination
Interactive theories (domestic politics)
Institutionalism vs. realism
John Mearsheimer (1994)
insitutions are only reflecting distribution of power
liberal institutionalism ignores relative gains
collective security theory is unrealistic
critical theory aims at replacing realism with utopian expectations
the three theories have inadequate empirical record

12. International theory and security relations
states cooperate to pursue common interests
harmony not implied
reciprocity, accountability, cooperative strategies
information and signalling mechanisms
Security institutions:
military force
use of threat
vital interests
Security institutions: effects
strategies / state security policies
outcomes (altering power resources)
influence (soft power)
ideas and norms

13. NATO: still here? CFSP/ESDP OSCE
level of institutionalization
exclusive vs. inclusive model
threats and risks
adaptability: hybrid institutions
the nature of European environment
member-state commitment
hybrid nature => security management
CFSP/ESDP
substantive policy outcome
explicit aspirations
exogenous and endogenous factors
functional and normative principles
internalizaton
OSCE
1994 institutionalization of CSCE reflecting changing scope of operations