Beyond Westphalia: Competitive Legalization in Emerging Transnational Regulatory Systems

Law and Legalization in Transnational Relations, 121-143, Christian Brütsch & Dirk Lehmkuhl, eds., 2007

SUNY Buffalo Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2007-100

24 Pages Posted: 8 Aug 2014

See all articles by Errol Meidinger

Errol Meidinger

University at Buffalo Law School; University of Freiburg

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: 2007

Abstract

This paper analyzes several emerging transnational regulatory systems that engage, but are not centered on state legal systems. Driven primarily by civil society organizations, the new regulatory systems use conventional technical standard setting and certification techniques to establish market-leveraged, social and environmental regulatory programs. These programs resemble state regulatory programs in many important respects, and are increasingly legalized. Individual sectors generally have multiple regulatory programs that compete with, but also mimic and reinforce each other. While forestry is the most developed example, similar patterns are evident in agriculture, fisheries, apparel, and mining, among other sectors.

The paper describes the institutional structures and routines of the new regulatory systems, their interactions with state based systems, and some possible broader implications for law and society. Among other things, it notes that the emerging regulatory systems permeate their sectors with increasingly broad and deep rule systems and seek to remain highly dynamic at the same time. The paper closes with a brief discussion of whether the systems might be sketching the outlines of new forms of transnational democracy.

Keywords: certification, democracy, environmental law, environmental management, fisheries, forestry, globalization, human rights, international law, legalization, legal pluralism, mining, organic agriculture, participation, polyarchy, regulation, socio-legal studies, standardization, sustainable development

Suggested Citation

Meidinger, Errol, Beyond Westphalia: Competitive Legalization in Emerging Transnational Regulatory Systems (2007). Law and Legalization in Transnational Relations, 121-143, Christian Brütsch & Dirk Lehmkuhl, eds., 2007, SUNY Buffalo Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2007-100, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2477118

Errol Meidinger (Contact Author)

University at Buffalo Law School ( email )

PO Box 288
Clinton, MT 59825-0288
United States
716-536-4521 (Phone)

University of Freiburg ( email )

Tennebacher Str. 4
Freiburg, 79106
Germany

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