Multilateralism Matters: The Theory and Praxis of an Institutional Form
Edited by John Gerard Ruggie
Multilateralism-seeking cooperative approaches to international problems-has emerged as a key theme of the foreign policy of the Clinton administration. This book makes clear that the basic concept has been in existence for some time. Ruggie has long been a leading student of international institutions. The authors enter into a variety of theoretical debates that make an important academic contribution but will be of less interest to practitioners. A sequel might pay more attention to ad hoc arrangements for dealing with particular problems or issues. Especially in the security realm in the coming years, multilateral "coalitions of the willing" may be the best way to engage in preventive diplomacy and peacekeeping.
