ABSTRACT
In the introduction to this volume, we suggested thinking of legalization as a series of complex transformations of the structures, institutions and actors that shape international and transnational politics. The emergence of multiple legal and law-like arrangements alters the way in which international affairs are defined, addressed and managed. It modifies interactions among states, their delegated agencies and non-state actors. We also claimed that it would be misleading to think of legalization as a linear development or a general trend. Instead, we argued that research should focus on the elusive and often contradictory conditions, patterns and dynamics that determine the success, scope and reach of emerging legal and law-like arrangements. Indeed, we believe that research on ‘complex legalization’ should not be expected to provide a parsimonious, robust and reliable interpretation of these transformations. Just like early research on the shift from interdependence to globalization addressed a ‘poorly understood but widespread feeling that the very nature of world politics is changing’ (Keohane and Nye 2000: 104), studying legalization should enable scholars and practitioners with different disciplinary backgrounds to discuss their findings in order to gain a more systematic and comprehensive outlook on the transformations of world politics.
