International Organization Sovereignty: Constructing Institutional and Structural Changes in the International System

26 July 2024, Version 3
This content is an early or alternative research output and has not been peer-reviewed at the time of posting.

Abstract

International relations scholars explore the significance of modern states’ transfer of authority to international organizations (IOs) within the broader debate on changes and continuities in the “institutions” (sovereignty) and “structures” (forms of organizing politics) of the international system. This paper contributes to this dialogue by developing a theory of change to construct the claim of continental sovereignty by the African Union (AU). The theory explains that the transfer/internationalization of authority is transforming IOs into state-like structures possessing sovereignty as transferred authority and creating the international state system. Dominant IOs (e.g., UN) are legitimated by minor IOs, or constituent state structures (e.g., AU). Legitimation crises may occur when minor IOs oppose dominant IOs’ legitimacy claims. So, the rules of IO legitimation must comprise inclusive representations of constituent structures in decision-making organs and the alignment of norms, priorities, or goals with minor IOs. Noncompliance with these rules may cause fundamental changes.

Keywords

sovereignty
constructivism
African Union
Africa
international organization
legitimation
regionalism
international authority

Comments

Comments are not moderated before they are posted, but they can be removed by the site moderators if they are found to be in contravention of our Commenting Policy [opens in a new tab] - please read this policy before you post. Comments should be used for scholarly discussion of the content in question. You can find more information about how to use the commenting feature here [opens in a new tab] .
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy [opens in a new tab] and Terms of Service [opens in a new tab] apply.