Are international institutions born by design or by chance? This article examines different theoretical perspectives on the origin and nature of international institutions. It challenges Friedrich Hayek's dichotomy, which suggests institutions are either deliberately designed (but flawed) or emerge spontaneously (and beneficially) from self-interested choices. The author proposes a third possibility: that institutions are sometimes created intentionally to serve broader social goals. The English School sees institutions as spontaneous developments, while liberal scholars in the US tend to start with a rationalist view of deliberate design but ultimately acknowledge the purposive nature of institutions. By exploring these diverse perspectives, the article contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the possibilities for institutional development in international relations, highlighting the interplay between intentional action and emergent processes.
This article on institutions and international relations fits the scope of the Review of International Studies. It discusses the theoretical underpinnings of international institutions, a key area of interest in international relations scholarship. By analyzing different schools of thought and offering a nuanced perspective on institutional development, the article aligns well with the journal's focus on advancing theoretical debates in the field.