Regional Organizations

Abstract

Abstract Do regional organizations support democratization or further authoritarian rule? Research indicates that membership in regional organizations can help consolidate democratic transitions, while more recent studies also point out the possible stabilizing effects for authoritarianism. This chapter reviews this question to synthesize what is known about the foundation, design, and effects of regional organizations. By surveying a broad set of literatures from different sub-disciplines, the chapter seeks to make three interrelated points. First, authoritarian regimes have founded many regional organizations since 1945, spanning most world regions. Second, relatively little is known about the design of authoritarian ROs, such as their institutional authority and decision-making procedures, as well as activities of ROs in security and financial matters. Third, several, often overlapping, mechanisms can explain how autocratic clubs help to sustain authoritarian rule, specifically increased domestic and international legitimation, transnational repression, and rent-seeking capacities. The chapter concludes by discussing the role of authoritarian regional organizations for the future of global governance.