Title: The International Seabed Authority: theorising the concept of an exemplary international organisation using evidence from US absenteeism

Authors: Courtenay Atwell

Addresses: School of Taxation and Business Law, University of New South Wales, Australia

Abstract: This research asserts that the grouping of states with a common interest under the umbrella of an 'international organisation' does not imply an autonomous, non-aligned grouping of signatory nations, in fact international organisations have proven to be valuable instruments through which state actors are able to endorse their own agendas and serve as instruments for understanding the international political economy. In contrast to the prevailing acceptance that international organisation autonomy is ordinarily bounded by state interests, it is argued that the International Seabed Authority represents a unique example whereby the developed states are not the dominant authority and the undertakings of the organisation have not reflected the best interests of any particular nations' foreign policy. A reality that is difficult to quantify yet is qualified through this research, primarily through the lack of US participation.

Keywords: International Seabed Authority; ISA; USA; international relations; UNCLOS; international organisations; US absenteeism; United States; organisational autonomy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPMB.2015.068664

International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking, 2015 Vol.5 No.2, pp.156 - 170

Received: 03 Jul 2014
Accepted: 18 Jul 2014
Published online: 08 Apr 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article