عنوان

Varieties of regionalism :

Number

TLets629732

Title Proper

Varieties of regionalism :

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Hoffmann, Katharina

Title Proper by Another Author

regional organisations in the post-Soviet space

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

University of Birmingham

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2014

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

University of Birmingham

Text preceding or following the note

2014

Text of Note

This thesis addresses the question of how and why the function of regional organisations varies in different areas of the world. It contributes with insights from the post-Soviet space. A theoretically informed empirical study examines how two former Soviet republics conceptualise the function of two regional organisations: the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Organisation for Democracy and Economic Development - GUAM (GUAM). The literature agrees that the two like other organisations in the post-Soviet space do not produce integration or other forms of regional governance. Nevertheless, the member states continue to actively participate in these organisations. The thesis inquires to which end the states continue their membership. The analytical perspective examines how the member states' conceptualisations of an organisation's function depend on the domestic political regimes. The thesis considers two members of the CIS and GUAM. One, Azerbaijan, has a hybrid regime with an authoritarian shape. The other, Ukraine, has a hybrid regime with stronger affinity towards democracy. It is argued that policy-makers conceptualise the function of a regional organisation according to the patterns of rule in their domestic political regimes. The ruling elite's conceptualisation may diverge from the stated function of the organisation, if the stated function is not compatible with the domestic political regime.

DK Russia. Soviet Union. Former Soviet Republics

JN Political institutions (Europe)

Hoffmann, Katharina

University of Birmingham

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y