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Formal and informal, legal and behavioural approaches

In: Handbook on Governance in International Organizations

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  • Alexandra R. Harrington

Abstract

This chapter examines the dichotomies between the formal and legal approaches to international organizations governance and the informal and behavioural approaches. International organizations have taken on a legal and political life of their own, with States evincing an expectation of effective global governance and responsiveness from international organizations in a way that can be seen as second only to the expectations of sovereigns. From a legal perspective, the power and limitation of international organizations stems from their status as legal persons akin to corporations under many domestic legal systems. As a matter of diplomacy and practice, however, international organizations are not limited to the formalistic elements found in foundational texts or treaty regimes. To fully understand the contexts within which international organizations have grown and evolved as tools of governance, politics and law, it is necessary to examine the informal aspects of their identities.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra R. Harrington, 2023. "Formal and informal, legal and behavioural approaches," Chapters, in: Alistair D. Edgar (ed.), Handbook on Governance in International Organizations, chapter 2, pages 7-24, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:eechap:20648_2
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    File URL: https://www.elgaronline.com/doi/10.4337/9781800884939.00009
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    Keywords

    Law - Academic; Politics and Public Policy;

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