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The interconnection between international
organizations (IOs) membership and
democratization has become a topic of
intense debate. However, the main focus of
the literature so far has been on IOs created
by democratic states and comprised mostly
of democracies, for example the European
Union. In contrast to existing studies, this book
focuses on another group of regional IOs,
referred to as ‘non-democratic IOs’ which are
organizations founded by autocracies.
How do these newly emerged organizations
interrelate and interact with the outside
world? How do they counteract and confront
the danger of democratization in their own
member states and neighboring states? This
book aims to address these questions by
developing a new theory of authoritarian
regionalism, and by combining both
quantitative and qualitative analysis to test it.
The quantitative analysis uses a large dataset
of all regional organizations world-wide for
the post-World War II period, with the aim
of defining historical trends in development
and the modification of regionalism over the
last seven decades (1945–2015). Qualitative
analysis refines and develops the argument by
looking at the case of post-Soviet Eurasia.
The book uncovers a new type of
regionalism—‘authoritarian regionalism’
and traces its historical roots as well as its
implications for modern politics. The book is
the first attempt to systematically investigate
the functioning and the impact of authoritarian
regionalism as a new phenomenon as well
as its implications for democratization world-
wide. The book contributes to the theory
of regionalism, international organizations,
studies of autocracies, foreign policy, and
democratization world-wide.
‘This impressive book explores a new dimension in the relationship
between political regime and international cooperation. In comprehensive
OBYDENKOVA
& LIBMAN
empirical analysis that skilfully combines different methodological approaches
and new data, the authors highlight how non-democratic regional organizations
consolidate authoritarian rule through legitimation and economic benefits.’
AUTHORITARIAN
Christina L. Davis, Harvard University
‘In this highly original study, Obydenkova and Libman detail how
regime-type matters for international regional organizations. Through
cross-national statistical analysis and detailed case studies of regional organizations
in Eurasia, they show that regionalism has positive benefits for [non-democratic]
REGIONALISM IN THE
WORLD OF INTERNATIONAL
WORLD OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
regimes in terms of legitimation and leadership survival.’
AUTHORITARIAN REGIONALISM IN THE
Mark R. Beissinger, Princeton University
‘We have few systematic studies of the non-democratic organizations.
This book provides a rich and innovative study which helps us understand this
growing and important phenomenon. The volume is essential reading for those
ORGANIZATIONS
interested in international organizations and in authoritarian politics.’
Anastassia V. Obydenkova is a visiting
Jon C. W. Pevehouse, University of Wisconsin-Madison professor at the Institute Barcelona D’Estudis
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES & THE EURASIAN ENIGMA Internationals (IBEI), Barcelona.
‘[T]his groundbreaking and exhaustively researched book offers a definitive
portrait of the new and potent phenomenon of authoritarian regionalism. Through Alexander Libman is Professor of Social
quantitative analysis and revealing case studies, it shows how non-democratic Sciences and Eastern European Studies,
regional organizations legitimate and sustain authoritarianism. . . . a vital and Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich.
sobering contribution to the fields of comparative politics and international relations.’
Larry Diamond, Hoover Institution, Stanford University
‘[S]ophisticated and insightful . . . Autocratic Regionalism explains how
autocracies have avoided the once-celebrated end of history by … creating regional
organizations of their own. Authors’ account traces the development of regional
organizations from the 19th century to our own era . . . an innovative, important, and
substantive contribution to international relations and comparative politics.’
Rawi Abdelal, Harvard University
Jacket image: Shutterstock.com
ANASTASSIA V. OBYDENKOVA
 2
ISBN 978-0-19-883904-0
& ALEXANDER LIBMAN
1 9 780198 839040
OBYDENKOVA AUTHORITARIAN REGIONALISM IN THE
& LIBMAN
 2
WORLD OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS