A critical evaluation of rationalist IR in the analysis of informal institutions

Abstract This article has two major inter-connected objectives about the ascendancy of informal international institutions on a global basis. The first objective is to highlight extended scope this phenomenon. second evaluates how mainstream International Relations (IR) literature treated cascading wave institutions. With expansion in mind, focus critical evaluation rationalist institutionalist generally and rational design scholarship more specifically. possesses some considerable foundational advantages. At same time several important deficiencies stand out. First, terms participation, remains excessively US-centric. Secondly, projection, lacks both historical context an anticipatory component. Thirdly, ‘living personality’ constitutive institutions, mode analysis nuance. Notwithstanding its claims consistency with respect logic institutionalism, highly uneven nature most consistent component throughout what type institutionalism left Informal recognized be ascendancy. But core manifestation institutionalism—state-based plurilateralism—is neglected analysis.