Conceptualizing Democracy in International Organizations By Tom Mboya PhD candidate-Maseno University

Background Proliferation of international organizations: UN, WTO, WB and IMF etc Regional organizations: The EU, AU, ASEAN, ECOWAS, SADC, EAC etc

Transformations to supranationality Autonomous institutions that initiate and enforce common binding policies Elements of Supranationality  Executive ( Commission & Council of Ministers  Legislature (Parliament)  Judiciary body with a constitutional role (Court of Justice)

Implications of supranationality on democracy  Transfer of state’s sovereign authority to these bodies  means nation-states are losing control in key policy areas  Such acquired authority therefore make regional organizations resemble a political entity  Binding decisions that affects the governed

These organizations have in the past been state- centric, elite driven and technocratic (Steffek and Ferretti, 2009:40) Hence, they are “Diplomatic clubs” Where, The citizens are alienated from the decisions that affects them

The “battle in Seattle”, 5 th December,1999

Demonstrations against WB and IMF in Washington DC on April on 8 th April, 2000

Protest against World Bank and IMF in Lima, Peru on 19 th October, 2015

Accordingly, David Held (1999) Ian Shapiro and Casiano H-Cordon (2000) Michael Zurn (2000) Joseph Nye (2001) Heikki Patomaki (2003) Koenig-Archibugi et al, (2005 International Organizations just like nation-states ought to rest on democratic principles

But how can such democratic principles be appropriated at the global level? What is democracy? Democracy as a contested concept (Jorgen Moller and Svend- Erik Skaanng (2013:13) Yet Social science requires clearly defined concepts (Giovanni Sartori (1970)

The Ogden-Richards Triangle ( verbal (Operational definition) definition) Conceptual treatment Inverse Relationship Source: Moller and Skaaning, 2013:40) Term Connotation Denotation

 The relationship between the connotation and denotation  Connotation=concept’s properties  Denotation = the cases that the concept covers (i.e instances of democracy) Example (a)  If democracy is defined by competitive elections alone(connotation), many countries would be democratic

Example (b)  If additional properties are added to the concept e.g Electoral criteria, political liberties, or rule of law then  Fewer countries would be democratic

Different types of definitions of democracy Procedural Definitions  Joseph Schumpeter’s (1943) “individuals acquire the power to decide by means of a competitive struggle for the people’s vote.”  The fallacy of electoralism” ( Terry Karl) The belief that elections equal democracy. Substantive Definitions  Maximalist definitions focuses on the provision of outcomes that promote the good of citizens Socioeconomic equality; and/ or high levels of popular participation in economic, social, and political institutions.

Cont. Procedural Definitions  Institutions or guarantees of freedoms, – E.g. Liberal definitions of democracy  Institutional Requirements Checks & balances, separation of powers: legislative, executive, & judicial organs separated. Rule of law: legal rules applied fairly and consistently to all citizens. Guaranteed protection of minorities. Substantive Definitions

Procedural definitions Larry Diamond {the following are key for protecting liberal democracy}: 1.Constitution. 2.Civil society. 3.Independent media. 4.Independent judiciary Substantive definitions

Defining democracy Abraham Lincoln defined democracy in three ways… Government of the People Government by the people Government for the people But what does this mean in international organizations?

Figure 1: A conceptual framework of a democratic political system a b c Feed back Input Legitimacy Accountability mechanisms (Horizontal and vertical) Output Legitimacy

Conclusion We therefore conceptualize democracy in international organizations in procedural and substantive terms Procedural representation/participation; Vertical accountability Political control (checks and balances)-horizontal accountability Substantive Policy outcomes-efficiency.

 Representation ( Election procedure of EALA)  Participation (Civil society)  Checks and balances ( separation of powers)  Output

THANK YOU