The Social Context of International Institutions

abstract: The social context of relations between states provides the foundation for cooperation within international institutions. In a departure from theories that focus on rational design of contracts and functional demand for institutions, increasingly scholars emphasize geopolitics. Both as a component of power and social context, geopolitics shapes multilateral cooperation. This article examines theories that bring new perspectives on cooperation as a process embedded within international society. It highlights innovative developments to include relational variables in empirical analysis to measure how geopolitical alignment between states impacts the design and effectiveness of international institutions. The relational politics that undergird multilateral cooperation also contribute to the proliferation of institutions as states build new clubs for cooperation.