1987/01/01 by Stephan Haggard, Beth A. Simmons · 779 citations
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · #Construct (python library) #Economics #Epistemology #Focus (optics) #International Development and Aid #International Relations and Foreign Policy #International relations #International relations theory #International studies #Natural Resources and Economic Development #Operationalization #Political science #Politics #Positive economics #Social science #Sociology
paper · open access · doi:10.1017/s0020818300027569
published in International Organization 41(3), 491-517 (University of Cambridge)
openalex publication_date 1987/01/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Over the last decade, international regimes have become a major focus of empirical research and theoretical debate within international relations. This article provides a critical review of this literature. We survey contending definitions of regimes and suggest dimensions along which regimes vary over time or across cases; these dimensions might be used to operationalize “regime change.” We then examine four approaches to regime analysis: structural, game-theoretic, functional, and cognitive. We conclude that the major shortcoming of the regimes literature is its failure to incorporate domestic politics adequately. We suggest a research program that begins with the central insights of the interdependence literature which have been ignored in the effort to construct “systemic” theory.