Of the extent of interdependence in the global system, an acknowledgement by states that, increasingly, they can achieve more by working together than by working separately.
They will cooperate when each calculates that it will make absolute gains (benefits made regardless of their impact on other states).

In terms of the emerging hegemonic role of the USA. International organization is linked to hegemony because only a hegemonic state possesses the power to tolerate the relative gains (benefiting a state's position relative to other states) that other states make, so long as they make an absolute gain themselves.

- thanks to globalization, states are increasingly confronted by challenges that are beyond their capacity to deal with when acting alone. Global problems require global solutions.
- the growth of international organizations fosters further cooperation by strengthening trust amongst states, accustoming them to rule-governed behaviour.