Fundamental Institutions and International Organizations: Theorizing Continuity and Change

Abstract

This chapter identifies a set of fundamental institutions which are constitutive of international society and its elements of order and justice. It goes on to discuss the role of international organizations in fundamental institutional continuity and change, especially change in the constitutive principles and reproducing practices of fundamental institutions. Such changes may come about by design or incrementally. The chapter argues that international organizations have the potential to affect and shape the operation of fundamental institutions and thus international order and justice, either globally or regionally. Moreover, they may support the evolution of new fundamental or primary institutions.