Multistakeholderism
Organised by Kavi Abraham

Multistakeholderism defines many areas of global governance. Across multiple issue areas, the idea that proper governance requires collaboration of multiple stakeholders (states, corporations, NGOs, experts, etc.) is an institutionalized norm. Proponents celebrate the participatory, and pluralistic nature of multistakeholderism, but critics underscore how power inequities erode any democratic promise. Both, however, normatively value democratizing global governance.

However, because multistakeholderism emerged under conditions of neoliberal and Western-led globalization, contemporary shifts in global power and challenges such as populism, transnational racism, stark economic inequality, multipolarity, and covid-19 create questions for not only the future of “Liberal International Order” (LIO) but also of multistakeholderism.

As such, we invite scholars for a one-day workshop on the future of multistakeholderism. Representative questions for papers include:

1.     What is the future of multistakeholderism as a form of governance?

2.     Does multistakeholderism depend on a broader normative commitment to (neo)liberal institutions?

3.     Does multistakeholderism’s future depend on issue area (e.g. climate, development, finance, etc.)?

4.     How do different rising (and established) powers resist, rethink, or embrace such institutional forms?

5.     What role will corporations play in supporting or rethinking multistakeholderism?

6.     What other governance principles and forms exist that can support democratic values in global governance, such as equality, participation, and empowerment?

7.     Ultimately, do multistakeholder governance modes offer promise in democratising global governance? Or are they a threat to the democratic underpinnings – however flawed – of rule-based multilateral international order?

The workshop will convene a limited number of participants with working papers (7500-12000 words), providing an opportunity for critical and sustained feedback on research addressing multistakeholder global governance. Participants will be asked to submit working papers two weeks in advance of the workshop, and each paper will be assigned a discussant to facilitate discussion. Funding is available to cover transportation to and accommodation in Durham for UK applicants outside the local area.