Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T03:02:08.986Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

2 - Formal leadership: a rational institutionalist theory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 September 2009

Jonas Tallberg
Affiliation:
Stockholms Universitet
Get access

Summary

The central argument of this book is that the empowerment of chairmanship institutions in international cooperation reflects a rational response by states to collective-action problems in decentralized bargaining, and enables formal leaders both to raise the likelihood of negotiation success and to favor their own preferred outcome. This chapter presents in greater detail the logic of this theoretical argument, summarized in Figure 2.1.

The theory of formal leadership draws on rational choice institutionalism, originally developed in the study of American politics and subsequently imported into IR theory: a view of politics as a series of contracting dilemmas that may prevent or inhibit mutually advantageous exchange; a functionalist approach to institutional choice and development; a conception of states as rational actors that behave instrumentally in the pursuit of their preferences; a recognition of the agency problems inherent in the processes of delegation; and a perspective on formal rules as enabling and constraining factors. Simultaneously, this theory integrates core elements of rationalist bargaining theory: a recognition of the collective-action problems involved in complex multilateral negotiations; an emphasis on the tension between cooperative and competitive negotiation moves; an appreciation of information as a bargaining asset; a perspective on leaders and entrepreneurs as strategic actors; and an analysis of negotiated outcomes in terms of efficiency and distribution. The epistemological affinity between the two literatures is substantial, and the scope for synergies in theory development significant and important.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2006

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×