Cogburn, Addom, and Mwangi – Gender in Global ICT Governance
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and decision-making procedures around which actors’ expectations converge in a given areas of
international relations” (Krasner, 1983, p. 2). Principles are seen as beliefs of fact, causation or
rectitude; Norms are seen as standards of behavior defined in terms of rights and obligations; Rules
are specific prescriptions or proscriptions for action; and Decision-Making Procedures are the prevailing
practices for making and implementing collective choice (Krasner, 1983).
Rittberger (1995) argues that international regime theory has maintained exceptional stability
and integrative capabilities within the discipline of international relations, and includes insights from
international political economy, comparative politics, and other areas in world affairs. Subsequently,
several scholars have improved upon the approach. For example, Hasenclever, Mayer, and
Rittberger (2000) enhanced its explanatory power by integrating the diverse strands of international
regime theory. Each of these strands has articulated and defended a distinct view on the origins,
stability, and consequences of international regimes.” As a result, over the last several decades,
scholars have documented the emergence and efficacy of international regimes in a variety of issue
areas, including: shipping, air transport, post, atomic energy and weapons, environmental issues, the
global “commons” (e.g., the high seas and outer space), diamonds, and, telecommunications.
Transnational Networks and Civil Society
States are clearly the central players in regime formation. Getting governments in both
developed and developing countries involved in any particular international issue area is a critically
important step in regime formation (Shiffman, 2003). However, many regime theorists have
approached the state as a unitary actor, often ignoring domestic contestation to the policy
preferences articulated by the state as it participates in international conferences in the “name” of its
citizens. Additionally, the heavy focus on state actors ignores the increasingly important role played
by non-state actors, namely the private sector and the international civil society sector.
Convention