Legal and political integration in the Commonwealth of Independant States (CIS)

Responsible for the postdoc project: Dr. Zhanna Hördegen
Funded by: URPP Asia and Europe
Project duration: March 2010 – June 2013
Research field: Norms and Social Order(s)

Abstract

The aim of the post-doc project is to examine both law and policy of regional integration in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), an inter-state organization established by the former republics of the Soviet Union. Under the premise that CIS integration is a polity in the making, the project examines the potential of the CIS to develop into an effective multi-level system of regional governance as an alternative to its present state-centric model of integration. The project looks at whether supranational institutions, aimed at ensuring compliance with its norms irrespective of the will of political leaders in the member states, and a transparent dispute-resolution system have the potential to be developed. The research shall set a theoretical framework for a closer institutional integration of the CIS and discuss relevant legal policy measures.