Intergovernmentalism

Intergovernmentalism is an approach to international cooperation in which national governments retain control over collective decisions. It contrasts with arrangements that transfer authority to supranational institutions.

Unanimity: A decision rule requiring every participating member to agree. Unanimity lets each government block collective decisions it considers unacceptable.
Supranationalism: An approach to international cooperation in which common institutions exercise authority beyond individual governments. It represents the clearest alternative to governments retaining decision-making control.
Sovereignty: The supreme authority of a state over its territory and political affairs. Intergovernmentalism rests on governments’ claim to retain sovereign authority.
United Nations Security Council: The United Nations organ responsible for maintaining international peace and security, with five permanent members holding vetoes. Its state representatives and permanent-member vetoes exemplify government-controlled collective action.
Collective action problem: A situation in which individuals or groups pursuing their own interests may fail to provide a shared benefit. Governments may resist cooperation even when coordinated action would benefit them collectively.
Intergovernmental conference: A formal meeting of governments negotiating agreements or institutional changes. These conferences are a central forum for governments to negotiate cooperation directly.
Neofunctionalism: A theory that explains regional integration through institutional spillover and the growing influence of supranational actors. It explains integration through dynamics that can weaken exclusive national control.
Westphalian sovereignty: The principle that states exercise authority within their territories without external interference. This principle supplies a historical foundation for state-controlled international cooperation.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization: A military alliance established by the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty. Member governments retain authority over alliance commitments and major decisions.
Veto power: The authority to block a decision or proposal. A government’s veto protects national preferences but can prevent agreement.

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