Determining Indicative Factors of International Institutional Legitmacy
by Cameron W. MacLeod
An Independent Study Thesis
Submitted to the Department of Political Science and Philosophy
at The College of Wooster
March, 2007
in partial fulfillment of the requirements of I.S. Thesis
Abstract:
The purpose of this thesis to develop a theory of legitimacy for international
institutions that has the capacity to be generalized to states. The approach
is four fold,and blends aspects of empirical political science and normative
political philosophy. First, determining what factors grant or indicate legitimacy
relies on examining the theory and literature for a range of factors, and refining
that list to those indicators that are vital. Second, this thesis establishes
a loose theory of legitimacy through which to examine international institutions
which hinges on factors of both input and output legitimacy, to use Franck's
(1990) distinction. Thirdly, clarifying and reflecting on this theory of legitimacy
after analyzing three institutions (the UN Security Council, the International
Monetary Fund, and the International Atomic Energy Agency) allows for a stronger
final theoretical position. Finally, examining the further implications of that
final strong theory of legitimacy for international institutions provides for
a broader theoretical generalization to other institutions and even states.
This final analysis further entwines the political and the philosophical to
a point where both are essential for the other, noting the primacy of consent
and fairness in legitimacy analyses.