Governing Abroad: Coalition Politics and Foreign Policy in Europe

Governments that are made up of two or more political parties are more common in Western Europe than in other parts of the world. Coalition governments can make powerful international commitments, but they can also postpone decisions, water down their policy positions, or promise to do less than they otherwise would. This book argues that the specific constellation of parties in government explains why some coalitions can make more assertive foreign policy decisions than others. It brings political parties back into the study of foreign policy and demonstrates that the size of the coalition, the ideological proximity of the governing parties, and their relationship with the parliamentary opposition together influence the governments ability to act in the international arena.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 19 July 2022
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

From Austria to New Zealand, coalition governments often pave the road to foreign policy. In Western Europe, nearly 90 percent of postwar governments include two or more political parties. Israel, the Middle East's only consolidated democracy according to many, has never experienced single-party rule in its history. Even the United Kingdom, known for its long streak of single-party rule, now navigates multiparty cabinets. Coalitions are everywhere, but we still have little understanding of how they act in foreign affairs. History shows that coalitions can sometimes engage in powerful international commitments such as participating in military operations, but at other times, they postpone their decisions, water down their policy positions, or promise to do less than they otherwise would. What explains these differences in behavior?

Governing Abroad unpacks the little-known world of coalition governments to find out. Oktay argues that the specific constellation of parties in government explains why some coalitions can make more assertive foreign policy decisions than others. Building on the rich literatures in political science on coalitions, legislatures, and voting behavior, the book weaves together sophisticated statistical analyses of foreign policy events across thirty European countries alongside in-depth case studies from Denmark, the Netherlands, and Finland. It brings political parties back into the study of foreign policy, demonstrating that the size of the coalition, the ideological proximity of the governing parties, and their relationship with the parliamentary opposition together influence the governments ability to act in the international arena. This book challenges our existing perceptions about the constraints and weaknesses of coalition governments. It sheds light on the complex dynamics that shape coalition decision-making and offers valuable insights into the factors that determine whether coalition governments are more likely to engage in assertive or cautious foreign policy.

The book begins by examining the historical roots of coalition governments in Europe. It explores how the rise of multiparty politics in the aftermath of World War II led to the formation of coalition governments as a common political phenomenon. Oktay argues that the specific constellation of parties in government plays a crucial role in determining the foreign policy decisions of coalition governments. He argues that the size of the coalition, the ideological proximity of the governing parties, and their relationship with the parliamentary opposition together influence the governments ability to act in the international arena.

Chapter 2 delves into the theoretical foundations of coalition governance. Oktay discusses the different theories of coalition formation and stability, including the theory of majoritarianism, the theory of proportional representation, and the theory of bargaining. He argues that these theories provide valuable insights into the factors that determine the formation and survival of coalition governments.

Chapter 3 examines the empirical evidence on the behavior of coalition governments in foreign policy. Oktay uses sophisticated statistical analyses to examine the foreign policy decisions of coalition governments across thirty European countries. He identifies several factors that influence the foreign policy decisions of coalition governments, including the size of the coalition, the ideological proximity of the governing parties, and their relationship with the parliamentary opposition.

Chapter 4 explores the case studies of Denmark, the Netherlands, and Finland, which provide in-depth insights into the behavior of coalition governments in foreign policy. The case studies demonstrate how the specific constellation of parties in government, the size of the coalition, the ideological proximity of the governing parties, and their relationship with the parliamentary opposition influence the foreign policy decisions of coalition governments.

Chapter 5 concludes the book by discussing the implications of the findings for the study of foreign policy and international relations. Oktay argues that the study of coalition governments provides valuable insights into the factors that shape the behavior of states in the international arena. He argues that the study of coalition governments can help us better understand the dynamics of international politics and the factors that determine the outcomes of international conflicts.

Overall, Governing Abroad is a valuable contribution to the study of foreign policy and international relations. It sheds light on the little-known world of coalition governments and provides valuable insights into the factors that determine the foreign policy decisions of coalition governments. The book challenges our existing perceptions about the constraints and weaknesses of coalition governments and offers valuable insights into the factors that shape the behavior of states in the international arena.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472055401