Are Domestic Issues Considered When Entering Treaties?
What is the relationship between domestic politics and international regimes? When decision makers are weighing the costs and benefits of cooperation, what domestic concerns and actors figure into their calculations?
The institutionalist believes that cooperation is a necessary step in achieving the ideal: interdependent, cooperative international society. Keohane regards "sophisticated institutionalists" as ones who "accept the self-interested nature of the state and believe that cooperation does not always occur but, interests are flexible and states can and do develop an interest in cooperation" (Notes). Those sophisticated institutionalists are ones who, on a domestic level, are willing to abdicate selfish and autonomous state behavior in order to achieve a cooperative, mutually beneficial end. The lecture notes cite the European Union as an example of this type of mutually attractive, interdependent partnership. The EU was "founded to enhance political, economic and social co-operation" (Kirste); in return, they receive collective security and a better political and economic climate in the European continent. The expansion of the EU (with Bulgaria and Romania acceding to full EU membership on 1 January 2007) shows that it is not a static organization, but a binding, flexible confederation of independent states that allow individual sovereignty alongside the addressal of issues that affect the whole of Europe.
Like most nations joining the European Union, the French and Dutch remain hesitant. Their domestic politicians had to weigh their collective intent. The governments held referenda, asking voters to accept the EU's constitution... and they both failed. Despite the fact that the French franc and Dutch guilder had been dissolved for the Euro; despite France and the Netherlands having joined the EU in the first call for members; overlooking the nations' already influential memberships; the referenda to accept the constitution failed. "The European Constitution's rejection by France and the Netherlands sent shock waves through the European establishment since these countries had been regarded as committed members of the European project. The failure of the constitution to win popular support in those countries forced a re-examination of the constitutional question" (Wikipedia). Where the EU constitution will go, no one can say for certain. But clearly the EU member states each have to weigh domestic political issues when considering joining an international regime like the European Union.
Sources:
Kirste, Burkhard. "European Union." Internet: Link, accessed 24 April 2006.
Lecture notes, week 7.
"Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe." Wikipedia. Internet: Link, accessed 24 April 2006.