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Children's rights in Regional Organizations : bureaucratic agency and normative change
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Florence : European University Institute, 2025
EUI; SPS; PhD Thesis
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KROPP, Selma Luise, Children’s rights in Regional Organizations : bureaucratic agency and normative change, Florence : European University Institute, 2025, EUI, SPS, PhD Thesis - https://hdl.handle.net/1814/78300
Abstract
How do regional bureaucrats shape the institutionalization of children’s rights in Regional Organizations (ROs)? In this thesis, I draw on a most-different case design tracing institutionalization processes in the African Union, the Council of Europe, and the European Union to answer this question. Although ROs in both regions differ in contextual factors (e.g., historical backgrounds and staff size of RO secretariats), they exhibit surprisingly similar for-mal children’s rights institutionalization, including mainstreaming attempts, in 2022. Based on an abductive research approach, I develop a constructivist theoretical framework, foregrounding three mechanisms of regional bureaucratic agency: subsidiarity, consistency, and orchestration. I argue that regional bureaucrats shape children’s rights institutionalization by relying on either subsidiarity (referring to a low voice level of RO member states during UN treaty-making) or consistency (referring to a high voice level of RO member states during UN treaty-making). In both cases, bureaucrats also employ orchestration techniques, engaging intermediaries, including NGOs, UN entities, and bureaucrats in other ROs. Moreover, I offer exploratory insights into the differing timing of initial agenda-setting and the substance of agenda-setting over time. Empirically, I draw on 60 interviews, archival, and online policy documents. Theoretically, I contribute to the literature on bureaucratic agency in IOs and norm contestation. I highlight the relevance of RO member states’ voice levels during UN treaty-making as a reference point to understand how regional bureaucrats set the agenda, institutionalize issues, and re-act to member state contestation.
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Defence date: 15 April 2025
Examining Board: Prof. Jeffrey T. Checkel (European University Institute, Supervisor); Prof. Stephanie C. Hofmann (European University Institute); Prof. Andrea Liese (University of Potsdam); Prof. Tobias Lenz (Leuphana University of Lüneburg)
Examining Board: Prof. Jeffrey T. Checkel (European University Institute, Supervisor); Prof. Stephanie C. Hofmann (European University Institute); Prof. Andrea Liese (University of Potsdam); Prof. Tobias Lenz (Leuphana University of Lüneburg)