Approaching the Concept of Multilateral Democracy

Abstract

The term “multilateral democracy” contains two elements, to be analyzed separately in this section and combined later in the chapter. The first element, the qualifying adjective “multilateral,” is here understood to refer to the concept of political multilateralism. Throughout this book, multilateralism denotes the institutionalized cooperation of three or more states according to generalized and binding principles of conduct.¹ It implies that states delegate certain competencies to relatively independent agents or organizations and submit themselves to their institutional constraints. The states thereby create multilayered and overlapping structures of government. The characterization of this process and institutional product as multilateral (as opposed to unilateral or bilateral) entails common primary and secondary rule making as well as collective action by states through special institutions. It also means that the delegation of competency does not amount to the definite and comprehensive delegation of sovereignty (understood as competence-competence over territory)² to a single and central authority. Where this happens, the multilateral organization simply becomes a state as we know it. Such a development is, of course, a historical possibility, but I am here focusing on the normative concept of democracy in the case of a multilateral settlement among democracies.