Weak States and Institutionalized Bargaining Power in International Organizations
Christina J. Schneider
International Studies Quarterly, Vol. 55, No. 2. (June, 2011), pp. 331-355.
Abstract
When and how can weak states increase their bargaining leverage in international organizations? In my analysis of distributional bargaining in the European Union, I argue that during phases of routine bargaining, distributional outcomes depend on the states' political and economic bargaining leverage and less on the formal allocation rules, so they are unfavorable to weak states. This changes in phases of extraordinary bargaining occasioned by significant reform such as enlargement. States that expect distributional conflict from enlargement can threaten to block accession negotiations and increase their benefits even if they are politically weak. Statistical and qualitative analyses of distributional bargaining support the theoretical claims.Keywords:
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