Negotiating among equals? the effects of the world economic crisis on negotiations between developed and developing states

Frequently multilateral, regional, or global institutions are used to mediate conflict, overcome collective action problems, and create a framework for cooperation and governance. In recent years, especially in the context of the 2008 world economic crisis, international cooperation has become challenged by increased expectations of their problem-solving capabilities and their lack of means to deliver them. The complexity of issues seems to generate a demand for closer international cooperation as well as more flexibility in the framework of institutional cooperation, with varying degrees across regions. I analyze international cooperation from a bargaining perspective and identify the key factors that lead to success or failure in intergovernmental cooperation between developed and developing states. I also explore the impact of institutional variation on cooperation and emphasize the strong relationship between asymmetric information and negotiation failure. I argue that transparency in procedures and reduction of uncertainty are key issues to facilitate cooperation.