Responding to functionalist Incentives? Exploring the evolution of regional organisations after the end of the Cold War

摘要

The number of regional organisations (ROs) has increased over time. While initially most of the 76 ROs were created to foster economic integration, most have broadened their policy competencies considerably over time. Yet there are distinct geographical patterns in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. This paper explores whether and under what conditions ROs in different regions respond to functionalist incentives in adapting their policy competencies. To this end, the paper theorises how different forms of problem-pressure, past policy treaty changes, existing policy competencies, RO size and RO composition can trigger political action to broaden RO policy mandates. The analysis reveals that on a global level, RO policy scope expansion is driven by a limited prior scope, democratic responsiveness, RO size and socio-economic capacities, while economic and security problem pressure inhibits ROs from obtaining further policy competencies. In addition, the paper evidences regional specificities.