Intergovernmentalism

Intergovernmentalism describes a system of international relations where member states, often in the context of international organizations or treaties, maintain primary control and decision-making authority. This contrasts with supranationalism, where power is delegated to a central, independent authority. Key features include consensus-based decision-making, the retention of national sovereignty, and emphasis on cooperation between governments rather than the creation of a powerful, overarching entity. It prioritizes the negotiation and agreement among national governments to address shared challenges and pursue common goals. Implementation often involves the use of intergovernmental conferences and agreements that member states ratify.

Intergovernmentalism meaning with examples

• The European Union, at its inception, operated largely under an intergovernmental framework. Decisions were made by national leaders, and the European Commission, while possessing executive functions, was primarily accountable to the member states. This approach emphasized national interests and ensured that member states retained considerable control over policy outcomes, leading to slower decision-making but greater national ownership.
• In international climate change negotiations, intergovernmentalism is evident. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) involves regular conferences of the parties (COPs), where nations negotiate and agree on emission reduction targets and climate adaptation strategies. Each nation's commitment is voluntary, demonstrating the core tenet of national sovereignty.
• The formation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) reflected aspects of intergovernmentalism. While the WTO had a dispute resolution mechanism, the enforcement was ultimately dependent on the compliance of individual member states. Decisions, although often influenced by supranational pressures, required a consensus among member states for significant changes.
• The handling of the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the limitations of intergovernmentalism. While global coordination was crucial, national governments retained control over border closures, vaccine procurement, and public health responses. This created inconsistencies and challenges in effectively responding to the crisis due to varying national approaches.