Observational analysis reveals powerful states favor stricter delegation and enforcement in bilateral space agreements, highlighting context-dependent treaty design.
Key Points
To examine how institutional design features interact with negotiation structures and power dynamics across international outer space agreements.
Constructed a comprehensive dataset of design features across N=952 international space agreements.
Applied rational design theory to evaluate interactions between negotiation frameworks (bilateral vs. multilateral) and structural treaty provisions.
Powerful states favor greater precision, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and higher delegation in bilateral space agreements.
Powerful states systematically resist high levels of delegation, precision, and enforcement within multilateral space negotiation settings.