Network effects in institutionalism International cooperation in different sectors may be mutually
supportive, and there may be a kind of network effect that makes each additional instance
of cooperation more attractive than it would be absent existing instances. This game-theoretic
perspective provides support for the early neofunctionalist hypotheses regarding international
economic integration and suggests the potential value of cooperation "for its own sake" or in order
to facilitate further cooperation. It also provides theoretical support for strategies of "constructive
engagement" outside the CIL context. Network effects may be enhanced in regional or other
plurilateral contexts by concentrating and intensifying relationships