Why International Organizations Hate Politics

Marieke Louis is associate professor in political science at Sciences Po Grenoble (University Grenoble-Alpes), member of the PACTE research laboratory, and associate fellow at the Center for international studies, Sciences Po (Paris).Lucile Maertens is lecturer in political science and international relations at the Institute of Political Studies of the University of Lausanne, member of the CRHIM, and associate fellow at the Center for international studies, Sciences Po (Paris).

• Introduction: Depoliticizing the world Part I Practices of depoliticization 1 Asserting expertise and pledging technical solutions 2 Formatting neutrality 3 Gaining time and losing momentum Part II Logics of depoliticization 4 Following a functional-pragmatic path 5 Monopolizing legitimacy 6 Avoiding responsibility 7 Conclusion: The politics of IO (de)politicization

"In this superb book, Lucile Maertens and Marieke Louis open a new research agenda on the depoliticization of international organizations. They do it in a way that is analytical, sophisticated, and yet engaging because it is grounded in real empirical puzzles." - Frédéric Mérand, University of Montreal, Canada."This book is the final nail in the functionalist coffin of depoliticized global governance. Thanks to a rich analysis of everyday practices inside international organizations, Louis and Maertens show how little-understood professional and institutional logics lead civil servants and diplomats to portray politics as an obstacle to global governance—when it is in fact its irreducible condition." - Vincent Pouliot, McGill University, Canada."The first systematic study on practices and logics of depoliticization within international organizations. A conceptually sophisticated and empirically rich book which sheds new light on international politics." - Guillaume Devin, Sciences Po Paris, France.