ABSTRACT

Scholars disagree on the question of whether intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) have only output legitimacy, or also have input and control legitimacy. Based on an analysis of 31 economic RIOs, this chapter answers the question of whether economic RIOs contribute primarily to output legitimacy, as is generally assumed, or also contribute to input and control legitimacy. The chapter deals with the characteristics of economic RIOs relevant to legitimacy and presents in the last section the indicators which permit empirical research into the three forms of legitimacy within economic RIOs. Elite bargaining in IGOs in terms of legitimacy as discussed in this volume is not a matter of 'input' or 'control' legitimacy, but rather of 'output' legitimacy. If economic RIOs have higher aspirations with regard to regional integration, their concern for legitimacy should increase, not only with output legitimacy, but also with input and control legitimacy.