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Cooperation under autonomy: Building and analyzing the Informal Intergovernmental Organizations 2.0 dataset

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  • Felicity Vabulas

    (International Studies, 5262Pepperdine University)

  • Duncan Snidal

    (Politics and International Relations, 6396University of Oxford)

Abstract

Informal intergovernmental organizations (IIGOs) such as the Proliferation Security Initiative and G20 increasingly play a central role in governing international relations. IIGOs are based on recurrent meetings among high-level state representatives but are not legalized through a treaty and have no permanent secretariat . They allow states to organize internationally without sacrificing autonomy to a supranational entity. We present the IIGO 2.0 dataset, the most comprehensive compilation of these institutions to date, and illustrate the significance of IIGOs through several key empirical findings. First, while the creation of formal IGOs (FIGOs) has plateaued, states are increasingly creating IIGOs to address critical global issues. Second, states disproportionately use IIGOs for high politics issue areas including peace, security, and political agenda-setting which challenges conventional wisdom that IGOs (intergovernmental organizations) are less relevant in the security realm. Third, IIGOs are remarkably durable. Although states could readily formalize or abandon IIGOs, they generally organize cooperation informally for long periods. Finally, IIGOs are typically smaller than FIGOs and this design choice is increasingly used by states of all levels of development, power, and region. The availability of the IIGO 2.0 dataset will promote further analysis on the growing diversity of international institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Felicity Vabulas & Duncan Snidal, 2021. "Cooperation under autonomy: Building and analyzing the Informal Intergovernmental Organizations 2.0 dataset," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 58(4), pages 859-869, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:joupea:v:58:y:2021:i:4:p:859-869
    DOI: 10.1177/0022343320943920
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Felicity Vabulas, 2023. "Ranjit Lall. 2023. Making International Institutions Work: The Politics of Performance. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 783-787, October.
    3. Heimann, Gadi & Paikowsky, Deganit & Rabinowitz, Or, 2024. "Sneaking through raising walls: The dynamics of institutionalizing security technology clubs," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
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    6. Pradip Kumar Sarker & Lukas Giessen & Max Göhrs & Sohui Jeon & Minette Nago & Fredy David Polo-Villanueva & Sarah Lilian Burns, 2024. "The forest policy outputs of regional regimes: a qualitative comparative analysis on the effects of formalization, hegemony and issue-focus around the globe," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 449-467, September.
    7. Charles Roger & Sam Rowan, 2023. "The New Terrain of Global Governance: Mapping Membership in Informal International Organizations," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 67(6), pages 1248-1269, July.
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