Ad hoc coalitions in global governance: short-notice, task- and time-specific cooperation

Abstract

Ad hoc coalitions (AHCs) are an indispensable but scantly conceptualized part of global governance. In recent years, several typologies and classifications of global governance arrangements have been provided, mostly differentiating them based on their organizational design features of degree of formality and membership composition. These do not capture AHCs and the role they play in global governance. In this article, we not only provide a conceptualization of AHCs, but also propose ways in which AHCs fit within the broader global governance architecture. We argue that what sets AHCs apart is not so much their (in)formality or membership, but rather their short-notice creation, their task-specific purpose and their temporarily circumscribed existence. We therefore define AHCs as autonomous arrangements with a task-specific mandate established at short notice for a limited time frame. We then develop a research agenda on the nature and future of AHCs, including their short- and long-term relationship with other multilateral arrangements in the global governance architecture. This is important, as we do yet not know how AHCs complement, compete and impact on international organizations and international crisis response.

Handbook of Regional Cooperation and Integration

“…However, not all existing regional security cooperation projects share common motivations or designs, nor have their numbers remained steady over time, but they have waxed and waned with time. We can observe a variegated plethora of projects that range from ad-hoc coalitions (Reykers et al, 2023) to integrated regional organisations. As the introduction to this chapter has suggested, in many parts of the world, there even exists more than one regional security organisation with overlapping mandates and memberships.…”

Ad hoc coalitions: From hierarchical to network accountability in peace operations?

“…While no new UN or AU peace operations have been mandated since 2014, and since that time four large UN peace operations have been closed (UNAMID, UNMIL, UNOCI and MINUSTAH) and others are in transition processes (UNMISS, MONUSCO, MINUSCA and MINUSMA), AHCs have been established and fielded at a steady pace to respond to violent conflicts. Their task-specific mandate and short-notice activation for a limited period of time make AHCs attractive governance options when IGOs face gridlock or delay, and when facing situations of urgency (Reykers et al, 2023). Although AHCs are not new, as illustrated by examples such as the International Force East Timor operation led by Australia (INTERFET, 1999(INTERFET, -2000, they are increasingly prominent given the gradual withdrawal and downsizing of UN peace operations.…”

“…These shortcomings have given rise to another actor: ad hoc coalitions (AHCs). AHCs are an organisational form characterised by task‐specific mandates and speedy set up with short timeframes (Reykers et al., 2023). In the realm of crisis management and peace operations, they have taken on tasks such as stabilisation and counterterrorism.…”