Paper short abstract:

Regional organizations have become crucial actors in addressing issues of peace and security, in particular in Africa but also in several other parts of the world. Drawing on data on twelve organizations this paper deals with central questions of how, by whom and for what purpose they are financed.

Paper long abstract:

Regional organizations (ROs) have become crucial actors in addressing issues of peace and security, in particular in Africa but also in several other parts of the world. They enjoy internal and external legitimacy, they contribute to mediation and peacekeeping, and they harbour new institutions such as early warning mechanisms. Among the usual fields of activity of ROs, such as trade and migration, peace and security stands out as a very costly endeavour. Despite the high costs associated with the growing relevance of ROs in issues of peace and security, comparative insights on their political economy with respect to finances remain rare.

Drawing on data on ca. 12 ROs from Asia, Africa and Latin America this paper deals with central questions of how, by whom and for what purpose ROs are financed. What impact do the different financial constellations have on the nature of regionalism in Africa and elsewhere? This comparative approach will help to conceptualise the self-understanding, the logics and the practices of ROs in their region and beyond. External donors, who often play a crucial role in the set-up and even survival of ROs, will explicitly be included into the picture, as in Africa their financial contributions surpass those of member states. Seven continental and sub-continental African ROs will be compared to ROs from Asia and Latin America.