Authoritarian Regionalism in the World of International Organizations

This impressive book explores a new dimension in the relationship between political regime and international cooperation. In comprehensive empirical analysis that skillfully combines different methodological approaches and new data, the authors highlight how non-democratic regional organizations consolidate authoritarian rule through legitimation and economic benefits. The surprising finding is that international institutions form malleable political tools in the hand of leading states, whether authoritarian or democratic. * 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 not only do non-democratic regional organizations function differently than those led by democracies, but that regionalism also has positive benefits for these regimes in terms of legitimation and leadership survival. * Mark R. Beissinger, Princeton University *
We have few systematic studies of the politics behind and the political effects of 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 interested in international organizations and in authoritarian politics. * Jon C. W. Pevehouse, University of Wisconsin-Madison *
In their sophisticated, insightful Authoritarian Regionalism, Obydenkova and Libman explain how modern autocracies have avoided the once-celebrated end of history. Modern autocracies have managed this seemingly improbable outcome in part by cooperating and creating regional organizations of their own. Authors' account traces the development of such organizations from the nineteenth century to our own era. Authoritarian Regionalism is an innovative, important, and substantive contribution to international relations and comparative politics. * Rawi Abdelal, Harvard University *
A key factor in the global expansion of democracy has been the growth of democratic regional organizations. But as Obydenkova and Libman show in this groundbreaking and exhaustively researched book, these must now contend with the new and potent phenomenon of authoritarian regionalism. Non-democratic regional organizations differ markedly from their democratic counterparts, but they have a similar effect in legitimating and sustaining the dominant regime type of the organization--in this case, authoritarianism. Through ambitious quantitative analysis and revealing case studies, Libman and Obydenkova make a vital and sobering contribution to the fields of comparative politics and international relations. * Larry Diamond, Hoover Institution, Stanford University *