Write up three paragraphs, representing initial ideas for each of three
different paper topics – they must involve three different regimes (three
different questions on the same regime is NOT adequate). Each of the three
paragraphs should answer the following questions:
What regime will you be looking at? What does it seek to accomplish and
what rules does it create to accomplish those goals?
If you are going to examine regime formation, think carefully about one
of two questions. Either consider asking why did a regime form when it did
or what explains the particular form and structure of the regime that was
created. In both cases, think about how you will evaluate the counterfactual
of what would have happened otherwise – you MUST either a) compare a
regime that formed to one that could have but did not form or comparing the
form and structure of two different regimes that formed or b) very carefully
engage the question of why the regime took the form it did (rather than some
other form) or was created WHEN it did (rather than being formed earlier or
later than it did).
If you are going to evaluate regime effectiveness, think carefully about
how you will evaluate the counterfactual of what would have happened
otherwise – you MUST either a) compare two treaties to figure out why one
was more effective than the other or b) very carefully engage the question
of why behavior after the treaty was formed looked different than it would
have otherwise by comparing what happened before to what happened after, the
behavior of members vs. nonmembers, or the behavior of members in regulated
arenas vs. their behavior in nonregulated arenas.
What evidence would you need to collect to demonstrate that cooperation was
occurring or that the regime was effective? Think about whether you are likely
to be able to find such evidence and only include the regime/treaty if you
think such evidence would be available.
What features (factors or variables) of a) the problem being addressed, b)
the treaty regime’s solution for the problem, or c) the broader context do
you think are most likely to explain why did the regime form or why was it
effective (or not)? How are you going to identify the counterfactual (and the
collective optimum) against which to evaluate the regime?
Make a clear prediction/hypothesis about how the factors of interest to you
will influence the ability to form a regime or have an effective regime. For
example, "the greater power disparity between India and Bangladesh in the
Ganghes-Brahmaputra Water Agreement will lead it to have fewer violations of
its water allocation provisions than under the Indus Water Treaty between
Pakistan and India." (Note that this example actually requires evaluation
and comparison of two regimes, which is not required but which you might
consider in developing your analysis. Think about why a comparison of two
generally-similar regimes would provide a better analysis than one by itself.)
Web pages for finding treaty texts and getting started on research have been
added to the main course homepage at
