The unintended consequences of international regimes

International regimes have been credited with being able to affect state behavior by creating incentives for cooperation. However, a closer examination reveals their limited capacity to do so. Empirical research provides evidence that regimes foster behavior among states that is counterproductive to the purposes of the regime itself. States find alternative ways that are harder to detect, while continuing to be abiding members of the regime. I refer to this phenomenon as the ‘unintended consequences’ of regimes. The purpose of the study is to explain the nature and causes of the unintended consequences of regimes. It focuses on the trade regime, GATT/WTO. I conduct a statistical analysis from 1988–1996 to highlight the causes of the rise in non-tariff barriers as tariff barriers decline. The study shows that domestic factors are important in understanding state behavior within international regimes.