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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Very happy to see our review of what we know about the contestation of IOs out in print. It was quite impressive to see how much research there is on this topic! And what a privilege to work on figuring out the bigger picture with my two great co-authors @jonastallberg.bsky.social & Michael Zürn.

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Jonas Tallberg @jonastallberg.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Very happy to see this essay with @stefwalter.bsky.social and Michael Zürn now published in @iojournal.bsky.social!

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Promising avenues going forward: ✴️ Theory development on when drivers generate internal criticism/external rejection and movement between both. 💽 Data on informal and obstructionist forms of contestation. ⁉️ Implications for organizational robustness, hegemonic contestation & broader contestation.

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

We also discuss how IOs as strategic actors react to contestation through communicative action, institutional reform, and policy change. We identify a need for more research on how effective IOs’ responses are in countering contestation and shoring up support.

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A key task moving forward is theorizing the conditions under which these factors give rise to one form of contestation rather than another—and under which one form of contestation morphs into another.

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

We highlight three processes that drive IO contestation: expanded international authority and deepened value conflicts; global power shifts and a resurgence of autocracy; and societal transformations and rising anti-globalist populist pressure.

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Contestation varies considerably across IOs and over time. In contrast to much punditry and scholarly discourse, however, it does not appear to have increased over the past 20 years. We discuss potential explanations – studying this in more detail will be an exciting avenue for future research.

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

We define contestation as any action or inaction that challenges an IO or its policies with the intention to improve, replace, or nullify existing arrangements. There are different types of contestation, depending on who contests and the substance of the criticism.

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Have you ever wondered about what we know about the broad patterns, the causes, and the consequences of contestation of IOs? We – @jonastallberg.bsky.social, Michael Zürn and I – did and therefore set out to take stock of the state of the art. Our review is out now in @iojournal.bsky.social.

cambridge.org

Contestation of International Organizations: Patterns, Drivers, and Responses | International Organization | Cambridge Core

Contestation of International Organizations: Patterns, Drivers, and Responses

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Interested in doing policy-relevant and transdisciplinary research on the geopolitical challenges facing Swiss businesses, supply chains and the economy? Then consider submitting a proposal to the @snsf.ch NFP 87 "Deglobalisation and Resilience"

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

EPSS pre-conference workshops: Call for proposals open now.

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Centre for Economic Policy Research @cepr.org · 22/09/2026

@jafrieden.bsky.social & @stefwalter.bsky.social argue that Europe's problem is political: there is no consensus among member states about how far and how fast to integrate. Rather than waiting, Europe should move in coalitions in areas of high payoff and high political friction. ow.ly/iECq50ZQ5OU

The EU was built for a rules-based, Western-led international order that now looks like a relic. Writing for CEPR's Europe 2050 series, Jeffry Frieden (Columbia) and Stefanie Walter (University of Zurich and Bruegel) argue that Europe's problem in confronting an adversarial United States, an assertive China and a hostile Russia is not primarily economic but political: there is no consensus among member states, or within them, about how far and how fast to integrate. Drawing on survey data spanning the Eurozone crisis and party positions across the EU27, they show that political feasibility varies enormously by issue, from near-unanimous support for expanding the ESM to near-universal rejection of Commission pre-approval of national budgets, and that this feasibility rarely lines up with where the economic payoff from integration is largest. Their answer is differentiated integration: rather than waiting for unanimity, Europe should let coalitions of the willing move first in areas of high payoff and high political friction, such as a European safe asset or joint defence of the eastern border, while leaving areas like welfare or education policy at the national level and treating others, from grid integration to joint procurement, as low-hanging fruit. They point to Schengen's evolution from five founding members to near-universal EU membership as the template: a successful club creates its own momentum, making it increasingly costly for holdouts to stay outside. Beyond institutional design, they argue Europe's leaders need three habits it currently lacks: crafting reforms with built-in flexibility and lock-in effects rather than one-size-fits-all treaties, being honest with voters about the genuine trade-offs of compromises rather than pretending them away, and communicating in language citizens can actually parse, given that Commission press releases are, on average, harder to read than academic journal abstracts.

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Your paper was a great inspiration for this. And yes!

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

4/5 Political divisions within member states also matter. Euroskepticism is real, but overall, there is substantial support for the EU both among the European public and elites. Mobilize that support! Be honest about costs and trade-offs, but also make Europe’s achievements visible.

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

3/3 When agreement is hard, coalitions of willing can lead, if cooperation is possible without everyone on board. Even when EU-wide participation is ultimately needed, starting smaller may help demonstrate benefits and attract others to join later. Smart reform design can help build support.

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

2/3 We argue that Europe should prioritize reforms with high payoffs and lower political barriers. Where gains are small and opposition strong, leaving policy at the national level can make sense. #Europe2050

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

1/3 How can Europe thrive in a fragmenting world and reform despite political divisions between and within countries? In our @cepr.org Europe 2050 contribution, @jafrieden.bsky.social & I argue that political feasibility must be a central consideration in any reform design. cepr.org/publications...

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The Call for Papers for #EPSS 2027 in Copenhagen is now open! Join the @epssnet.bsky.social community for exciting new research, great discussions, and a lot of fun. Deadline for paper submissions: 13 November 2026 epssnet.org/2027-copenha...

epssnet.org

Call for Papers | EPSS 2027 Copenhagen Conference

Submit your abstract or full paper for EPSS Copenhagen 2027. Share cutting‑edge political science research, network with peers & contribute to academic impact.

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Perhaps the fact that the world is changing without waiting for/aligning with the US is itself evidence for such change...

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Bruegel @bruegel.org · 05/09/2026

❄️ Iceland, Switzerland, Europe 🗣️ @stefwalter.bsky.social in conversation with host @rebeccawire.bsky.social and @heathergrabbe.bsky.social on The Sound of Economics 🔗 Catch up on the discussion now: buff.ly/97zxhlv

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Heather Grabbe @heathergrabbe.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

What a great discussion about Europe beyond the EU! Political scientists @bruegel.org also have a lot to say about how economic ties and security alliances interact with domestic politics. For more on Iceland and the reconfiguration of #widerEurope, see www.bruegel.org/first-glance...

bruegel.org

Jilted by Iceland – but Wider Europe is forming through new cooperation structures around the EU

Iceland’s rejection of EU membership talks should be seen against a backdrop of new methods of deeper collaboration, especially on security

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Very much enjoyed discussing Europe's variable geometry, the role the mass public, referendums, and populist parties play for European integration, and how Iceland and Switzerland fit into all this with the awesome @rebeccawire.bsky.social & @heathergrabbe.bsky.social on the newest Bruegel podcast:

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Remember to nominate your favorite EPSS paper for this award – nomination deadline coming up on August 31.

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EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

🏆 Nominations open for EPSS Best Book Award 2027 📚 The 2027 EPSS Best Book Award recognizes an outstanding scholarly contribution to the field of political science. Through this award, the Society seeks to highlight scholarship that advances the discipline and fosters dialogue across its sections

docs.google.com

EPSS Best Book Award 2027 Award Nomination Form

EPPS Best Book Award The EPSS Best Book Award recognizes an outstanding scholarly contribution to the field of political science. Through this award, the Society seeks to highlight scholarship that ad...

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Hatte viel Spass im @uzh-ch.bsky.social Podcast von Christina Neier und Matthias Oesch darüber zu sprechen, wie die EU mit Herausforderungen wie dem Brexit umgeht und was das – auch im Kontext der sich wandelnden Weltordnung - für die Beziehungen Schweiz-EU bedeutet. www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

What is it with Canadian authors presciently predicting dystopian developments in US politics? First @margaretatwood.bsky.social, now @louisepennyauthor.bsky.social.

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Have a book out? Submit it for the #EPSS book award!

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Let’s see how VARgentina does tomorrow… 😉

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EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

We would also like to hear about your thoughts about the conference! All participants have received an email with a link to the post-conference survey. If you haven’t already done so, we would be very grateful if you could fill out the survey so as to help us to make future conferences even better.

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EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

If you want more details on the #EPSS2026 conference, you can find it in the Belfast 2026 conference report: epssnet.org/belfast-repo...

epssnet.org

Belfast 2026 report - EPSS

Conference co-chairs report Programme archive (pdf)

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

„Freedom, justice and the American way: We look forward to its return.“

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Particularly nice work trip tonight 😊

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Had a great inaugural #EPSS conference in Belfast.

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EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Come join us at the Ulster Museum to wrap up #EPSS2026 and mingle with drinks at the museum. 17:00-19:30 www.ulstermuseum.org

ulstermuseum.org

Discover Together

The Ulster Museum tells a unique human story, and houses a vast array of art, historical artefacts and specimens from the natural world.

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Great discussion yesterday about the Accommodation Dilemma Framework at the #EPSS2026 "Responding to Non-Cooperation in International Relations" Agenda-Setting panel with @lisadellmuth.bsky.social @fgenovese.bsky.social sky.social, Bernhard Reinsberg, @smetanamichal.bsky.social (and myself).

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Join us at 5:10pm in Hall 1A (ICC) for a discussion on how to define "non-cooperation" in international politics, how to responses to non-cooperative behavior vary, and how to analyze this variation across different levels of analysis and issue areas.

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EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Soon - 🔁 Roundtable: Conflict in Europe in an Age of Geopolitics virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/75765/... 15:20-17:00 | Bar 2 (ICC), with Brian Burgoon, @catherinedevries.bsky.social, @simonhix.bsky.social , @sarahobolt.bsky.social, Gary Marks, and @jrovny.bsky.social

virtual.oxfordabstracts.com

OA Virtual conferences

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Lisa Dellmuth @lisadellmuth.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

I am very much looking forward to chairing the panel on "Responding to Non-Cooperation in International Relations" at #EPSS2026! Together with an excellent group of colleagues, we will discuss a research agenda for studying responses to non-cooperation in #InternationalRelations! Join us! #Polisky

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Non-cooperation is a regular feature of international politics, but research on its various forms is fragmented across IR subfields. Our agenda-setting panel proposes and discusses a more unified framework for studying how actors respond to non-cooperation. Overview paper: shorturl.at/HbIvU

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Stefanie Walter @stefwalter.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

New research on weaponized interdependence coming up at 9am:

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EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

#EPSS General Meeting and Prize-giving Ceremony starting now in Hall 1A (ICC). Join us - open to all.

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EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

🌉Evening programme: 🗳️EPSS Annual General Meeting 18:20-18:50, Hall 1A (ICC) 🏆EPSS Prize-Giving and President's Keynote Address 19:00-19:40, Hall 1A (ICC) 🥂EPSS Reception 19:40-21:00, Halls1B-1D (ICC)

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