Once Bitten, Twice Shy? Investment Disputes, State Sovereignty and Change in Treaty Design

Forthcoming in International Organization, 2019

Hebrew University of Jerusalem International Law Forum Working Series [04-19]

Hebrew University of Jerusalem Legal Research Paper No. 19-10

62 Pages Posted: 10 Apr 2019 Last revised: 25 Aug 2019

See all articles by Alexander Thompson

Alexander Thompson

Ohio State University

Tomer Broude

Hebrew University of Jerusalem - International Law Forum

Yoram Haftel

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Date Written: April 7, 2019

Abstract

More than 3000 international investment agreements (IIAs) provide foreign investors with substantive protections in host states and access to binding investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). In recent years, states increasingly have sought to change their treaty commitments through the practices of renegotiation and termination, so far affecting about 300 IIAs. The received wisdom is that this development reflects a “backlash” against the regime and an attempt by governments to reclaim sovereignty, consistent with broader anti-globalization trends. Using new data on the degree to which state regulatory space (SRS) is restricted by IIA provisions, this article provides the first systematic investigation into the effect of ISDS experiences on state decisions to adjust their treaties. The empirical analysis indicates that, indeed, exposure to investment claims leads either to the renegotiation of IIAs in the direction of greater SRS or to their termination. This effect varies, however, with the nature of involvement in ISDS and with respect to different treaty provisions.

Keywords: international investment agreements, international law, investor-state dispute settlement, international political economy, international institutions, institutional design

Suggested Citation

Thompson, Alexander and Broude, Tomer and Haftel, Yoram Z., Once Bitten, Twice Shy? Investment Disputes, State Sovereignty and Change in Treaty Design (April 7, 2019). Forthcoming in International Organization, 2019, Hebrew University of Jerusalem International Law Forum Working Series [04-19], Hebrew University of Jerusalem Legal Research Paper No. 19-10, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3367800 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3367800

Alexander Thompson (Contact Author)

Ohio State University ( email )

Department of Political Science
2140 Derby Hall, 154 North Oval Mall
Columbus, OH 43210-1373
United States
614-292-9491 (Phone)

Tomer Broude

Hebrew University of Jerusalem - International Law Forum ( email )

Mount Scopus
Mount Scopus, IL 91905
Israel

Yoram Z. Haftel

Hebrew University of Jerusalem ( email )

Mount Scopus
Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91905
Israel

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