Transnational governance as strategy? Mapping and explaining the European Union’s participation in transnational public-private governance initiatives

Abstract

ABSTRACT The European Union (EU) is involved in a range of global governance institutions. Its participation in transnational public-private governance initiatives (TGIs) is particularly pronounced. What explains the EU’s involvement in TGIs? Why does the EU participate in some initiatives but not others? I draw on theories of orchestration, access of transnational actors to intergovernmental organizations, and legitimacy of global governance institutions to identify factors that shape EU involvement in TGIs. Using new data on EU participation in 636 TGIs, I provide the first systematic mapping of the Union’s involvement in transnational governance initiatives and test my hypotheses using statistical analysis. My results suggests that the EU is more likely to become involved in TGIs with many participants and an institutional design that provides the initiative with organizational structure and operational capacity. My findings are relevant for research on transnational governance, inter-organizational interactions in global governance, and EU foreign policy.