Assessment of Variation of Participation Levels in the Organization of American States: The Case of Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico

Authors

Siremorn Asvapromtada, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

International Relations

First Advisor's Name

Félix E. Martín

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

John Oates

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Frank Mora

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Chantalle Verna

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Organization of American States, State participation in international organizations, the electoral observation missions, the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, the Inter-American Conference of the Ministers of Labor, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Domestic factors of state behavior, Transnational organization-level variable, State behavior in international organizations

Date of Defense

11-10-2022

Abstract

While states join voluntarily and have equal rights in international organizations, they act differently in policies and activities. The general assumption is that large and powerful states are more likely to play more significant roles in international organizations than smaller and less powerful states. Nevertheless, with closer scrutiny, such an assumption may not hold true. Also, assuming that international organizations provide similar benefits and opportunities to all member states, it remains puzzling to understand why member states participate differently in the same international organizations. Against such an empirical puzzle, this study investigates different state behaviors, particularly on participation in different issues in international organizations. This study addresses the following research question: What explains the variation of state participation in international organizations?

This study investigates causes and conditions that account for the variation in participation of Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico in the Organization of American States. The study examines different levels of state participation through cross-comparison analysis between Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico on three issues: the electoral observation missions, the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, and the Inter-American Conference of the Ministers of Labor. The study found that state capacities apply domestic, state-level factors that explain differences among states. At the same time, participation in other international organizations on a similar issue can be instrumental and complementing in achieving domestic goals. Cross-country and cross-issue comparisons contribute to the comprehension that legal foundation and government institutions, budget allocation, and participation in other international organizations and agreements are explanatory factors that explain the rationale for different degrees of participation.

Identifier

FIDC010889

Recommended Citation

Asvapromtada, Siremorn, "Assessment of Variation of Participation Levels in the Organization of American States: The Case of Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico" (2022). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5183.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/5183