GEI Projects

13. GLOBAL ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS AND EMERGING CIVIL SOCIETY


Principal Researchers

Dr A M GOETZ
Institute of Development Studies
University of Sussex

Dr ROBERT O'BRIEN
School of English and American Studies
University of Sussex

Dr JAN AART SCHOLTE
School of European Studies
University of Sussex

Dr MARC WILLIAMS
School of African and Asian Studies
University of Sussex


Contact:

Dr. Robert O'Brien
School of English and American Studies
University of Sussex
Falmer, Brighton
BN1 9QN

Tel: 01273 606755
Fax: 01273 625972
Email: geigsm@sussex.ac.uk

Duration

1 January 1996 – 31 December 1997

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The broad aims of this research proposal are:

On the empirical level the task is to trace and describe the institutional links that have been developing between the IMF, World Bank, WTO and global social movements.

Theoretically, the task is to contribute to the debate about GEIs’ accountability and democracy in light of their relationship with global social movements.

The project has three core objectives:

to explore the issue of subsidiarity, constituency and legitimacy in the GEI/global social movements relationship.

to reach some conclusions and recommendations about the institutional mechanisms that have been developed in the GEI – global social movements relationship. We will also stimulate and provoke discussion about future modifications in GEIs.

to interact with members of the policy community in GEIs and global social movements to increase communication and further debate.

STUDY DESIGN

The researchers will adopt an international political economy framework drawing upon perspectives that they have utilized in the past, including feminist, social forces, historical sociologist and institutionalist. Since there has been no previous study of this kind, it will require a substantial amount of evidence collection from a variety of sources, Field research at the offices of GEIs will be required to collect documentation and interview staff. Similar contact will be made with representatives of the major social movements under consideration. A report will be presented at a workshop including representatives of key GEIs and social movements for criticism and improvement.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Policy implications emerging from the study will be relevant to three sets of non-academic users. The first are officials working within Global Economic Institutions who are increasingly dealing with global social movements and other civil society institutions. The second are global social movements themselves who are increasingly attempting to influence the operation of Global Economic Institutions. The third are state officials engaged in negotiations and contact both with GEIs and global social movements. Our report will help each group to better understand the roles of the others. Policy implications will deal with subjects such as: good institutional practice, accountability and democracy. Suggestions will be made for improving institutional mechanisms and outlining the limits to cooperation between GEIs and global social movements.