Abstract

Ostensibly, governments participate in international institutions to provide global public goods. But the real motivations behind their participation usually have roots in domestic politics. The most powerful members often use their political leverage over international institutions to pursue domestically-motivated foreign policy goals. Governments also use international institutions to impact domestic politics directly. So, while the subject of international cooperation has long been the purview of the field of International Relations, the field of Comparative Politics has much to contribute to and learn from the study of international institutions.