Lisa Dellmuth

Author & academic

 

 

Dellmuth, L., Tallberg, J. Legitimacy Politics: Elite Communication and Public Opinion in Global Governance (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2023).

 

This book explores whether, when, and why elite communication shapes the popular legitimacy of international organizations. Based on novel theory, experimental methods, and comparative evidence, it shows that elites are influential in shaping how citizens perceive global governance and explain why some elites and messages are more effective than others. The book offers fresh insights into major issues of our day, such as the rise of populism, the power of communication, the backlash against global governance, and the relationship between citizens and elites.

 

 

 

“Lisa Dellmuth and Jonas Tallberg provide in Legitimacy Politics the most comprehensive and differentiated account of elite communication and beliefs about International Organizations... The book is a must for those interested in the future of global governance, but also in the field of legitimacy and legitimation in general.” Michael Zürn, WZB Berlin Social Science Center

“A real feat and treat. Dellmuth and Tallberg take knowledge of legitimacy in global governance to important new ground, with probing theory, innovative method, and revealing empirics. A path-breaking demonstration that elite communications matter in global as well as domestic politics.” Jan Aart Scholte, Leiden University and University of Duisburg-Essen

“This impressive study disentangles the complex ways in which political elites shape public perceptions of the virtues and pitfalls of such global institutions. Public interest in the activities of an international organization determines whether government leaders will support its work, which in turn influences how effective it can be on the global stage.” G. John Ikenberry, Source: Foreign Affairs.

“Legitimacy Politics is a timely, ambitious, detailed, connective, and accessible book … By building on the book, future research can continue to help us make sense of a world in which IO tasks may be growing, but IO legitimacy is under fire.” Tana Johnson and Tatiana Cruz, Source: Review of International Organizations.

Other book reviews were written by Richard Clark in Political Science Quarterly, 139:2 (2024), pp. 313–315; and Jia Jingjing and Guo Juanwugao in Pacific Affairs, 97:3 (2024).

 

 

 

 

 

Dellmuth, L., Tallberg, J., Scholte, J.A., Verhaegen, S. Citizens, Elites, and the Legitimacy of Global Governance (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2023).

 

Citizens, Elites, and the Legitimacy of Global Governance offers the first full comparative study of citizen and elite legitimacy beliefs toward global governance. Empirically, it provides a comprehensive analysis of public and elite opinion toward global governance, building on two uniquely coordinated surveys covering multiple countries and international organizations. Theoretically, it develops an individual-level approach, exploring how a person's characteristics in respect of socioeconomic status, political values, geographical identification, and institutional trust shape legitimacy beliefs toward global governance.

 

 

 

 

“The novelty of the book is that it moves away from advocacy to provide fresh quantitative evidence. To do that, the authors use two coordinated surveys. The first gathered responses from a sample of respondents in five countries: Brazil, Germany, the Philippines, Russia and the United States. The second survey, carried out by the book's authors themselves, focused on elites, which are defined as 'people who hold leading positions in key organizations in society that strive to be politically influential'.” Daniele Archibugi, Source: International Affairs

“Citizens, Elites, and the Legitimacy of Global Governance sets a new landmark in the fertile research area that focuses on the shape and sources of legitimacy beliefs in global governance in general, and IOs more specifically. It is a testament of its timeliness and relevance that this book's remarkable results as well as limitations will remain a most fruitful inspiration for future efforts in this area for years if not longer.” Matthias Ecker-Ehrhardt, Source: Review of International Organizations

 

 

 

 

 

Dellmuth, L. Is Europe Good for You? EU Spending and Well-Being (Policy Press, Bristol, 2021)

 

The book shows that while EU social investments improve labour market performance in rich regions, they exacerbate income inequality in poor regions. Based on this insight, the book presents a theory on the conditions under which EU funding will enhance well-being. Crucially, it argues the case for enhancing the inclusivity of EU growth, which yields the promise of a more legitimate and stronger union.

 

 

 

“How have 20 years of European Union social spending improved well-being? The answer: not much. Dellmuth’s brilliant analysis is a wake-up call for advocates of a more inclusive, fairer Europe.” Liesbet Hooghe, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

“The author puts forward a convincing argument that the EU can and should use social investments to enhance regional well-being.” Bo Rothstein, University of Gothenburg, Source: foreword.

“This is a thought provoking book and the issues that it raises are timely, not least as the EU faces some debate about its future.” Janice Morphet, University College London, Source: book review in the Journal of Social Policy.

Honorable Mention for the UACES Book Prize 2022.