New research reveals that in international negotiations, state power and socialization effects often take a backseat. Instead, institutional bargaining structures appear to drive bargaining behavior.

This study examines the distinct ways states approach EU negotiations by introducing empirical measures of key concepts like structure and power. Using these metrics alongside traditional ones (socialization), it assesses how they influence state strategies in this multilateral setting.

The findings challenge conventional wisdom, demonstrating that structural factors best explain variations among member states' bargaining approaches. This suggests a broader application beyond the EU context.