POSC 2200 – International Political Economy Russell Alan Williams Department of Political Science

Unit Six: International Political Economy “ Environmental Cooperation" Required Reading: Globalization of World Politics, Chapter 21. Globalization of World Politics, Chapter 21. David Layfield, “International policy on climate change: after Kyoto, what next?” Environmental Politics, 19:4, (2010), Pp (Available from e-journals, or from the instructor.) David Layfield, “International policy on climate change: after Kyoto, what next?” Environmental Politics, 19:4, (2010), Pp (Available from e-journals, or from the instructor.)Outline: 1. Sovereign States and the Tragedy of the Commons 2. Theoretical Issues 3. Practical Environmental Challenges: The Impact of the Trade Regime The Impact of the Trade Regime Ozone Depletion and CFC ’ s Ozone Depletion and CFC ’ s Carbon Emissions and the Kyoto Protocol Carbon Emissions and the Kyoto Protocol 4. Conclusions

1) Sovereignty & the Tragedy of Commons: Environmental issues highlight problematic legacy of “ Westphalian ” system of sovereignty: “ Sovereignty ” : provides states with right act within their own territory as they wish, but.... “ Sovereignty ” : provides states with right act within their own territory as they wish, but.... Environmental issues do not respect territoriality Environmental issues do not respect territoriality E.g. “ Acid Rain ” E.g. “ Acid Rain ”

“ Tragedy of the Commons ” : Much like “ Prisoners ’ Dilemma ” – individual self interested rationality leads to collective outcomes that make everyone worse off. Much like “ Prisoners ’ Dilemma ” – individual self interested rationality leads to collective outcomes that make everyone worse off. Concept has become a metaphor for global environmental issues: Concept has become a metaphor for global environmental issues: E.g. Clean air, water and the depletion/damage of “ open access ” resources E.g. Clean air, water and the depletion/damage of “ open access ” resources

2) Theoretical Issues: As awareness of globalization and environmental problems grew after the 1970s, IR scholars speculated that there were two types of problems.... 1) The “ Race to the Bottom ” dynamic Increased economic integration and competition, made it “ rational ” for states to reduce costly environmental regulations. Increased economic integration and competition, made it “ rational ” for states to reduce costly environmental regulations. Since all states understood this, all would act in the same way. Since all states understood this, all would act in the same way. =More pollution and more environment and health problems Record suggest the “ race to the bottom ” has not materialized...

2) Theoretical Issues: As awareness of globalization and environmental problems grew after the 1970s, IR scholars speculated that there were two types of problems.... 2) States have different “ Ecological Footprints ” “ Ecological Footprint ” : System for measuring the load placed on natural systems by human activity. “ Ecological Footprint ” : System for measuring the load placed on natural systems by human activity. Assumes: Assumes: Some loads may not be sustainable over the long term Some loads may not be sustainable over the long term Loads go up as standards of living increase Loads go up as standards of living increase E.g. “ Globalization ” and “ development ”, by increasing standards of living will create unsustainable ecological footprints E.g. “ Globalization ” and “ development ”, by increasing standards of living will create unsustainable ecological footprints

Concern over “ Ecological Footprints ” reflect emerging “ norms ”.... “ Sustainable Development ” : Development that meets people ’ s current social and economic needs without depleting the ability of people in the future to meet their needs. “ Sustainable Development ” : Development that meets people ’ s current social and economic needs without depleting the ability of people in the future to meet their needs. Supported by: Supported by: Bundtland Commission (1987) Bundtland Commission (1987) United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) Many NGO ’ s Many NGO ’ s Very challenging – suggest the need to limit growth... somewhere!

Key point: Both potential “ race to the bottom ” problems and challenges of “ ecological footprints ” that meet “ sustainable development ” require international cooperation.... Both potential “ race to the bottom ” problems and challenges of “ ecological footprints ” that meet “ sustainable development ” require international cooperation.... E.g. “ International Law ” E.g. “ International Law ” “ International Regimes ” Lessons from IR... ? Lessons from IR... ? Depends on your perspective! Do regimes and international law “ work ” in other areas.... Depends on your perspective! Do regimes and international law “ work ” in other areas....

3) Practical Environmental Challenges: a) The impact of the “ trade regime ” : WTO and trade law encourages globalization and discourages states from creating barriers to trade – E.g. “ Liberalization ” WTO and trade law encourages globalization and discourages states from creating barriers to trade – E.g. “ Liberalization ” Includes domestic standards about how products are created – States are not allowed discriminate on the basis of environmental concerns Includes domestic standards about how products are created – States are not allowed discriminate on the basis of environmental concerns E.g. The “ Tuna-Dolphin ” Cases.... E.g. The “ Tuna-Dolphin ” Cases.... = Obstacle to internationalizing environmental standards based on consumption

3) Practical Environmental Challenges: b) Ozone Depletion & Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC ’ s): CFC ’ s were a standard and highly valued industrial product, however... CFC ’ s were a standard and highly valued industrial product, however... After 1980s scientific consensus emerged that their emission was eroding the ozone layer exposing humans to harm. After 1980s scientific consensus emerged that their emission was eroding the ozone layer exposing humans to harm. Result = “ Montreal Protocol ” : States create a regime to ban the use of CFC ’ s – highly effective Result = “ Montreal Protocol ” : States create a regime to ban the use of CFC ’ s – highly effective Illustrates role of a scientific “ Epistemic Community ” Illustrates role of a scientific “ Epistemic Community ”

3) Practical Environmental Challenges: c) Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change: After 1980s many scientists argued that the emission of some forms of pollution were creating a “ greenhouse ” effect that would contribute to global warming After 1980s many scientists argued that the emission of some forms of pollution were creating a “ greenhouse ” effect that would contribute to global warming = Uncertain environmental consequences (rising seas, droughts in some regions, habitat collapses) – potentially very $$$$$

Result: Long running international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (primarily carbon) Result: Long running international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (primarily carbon) “ Kyoto Protocol ” (1997): International Regime designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “ Kyoto Protocol ” (1997): International Regime designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Developed states were supposed to implement systems to reduce emissions by approx. 5% between 1990 and Developed states were supposed to implement systems to reduce emissions by approx. 5% between 1990 and Many developing states were not included in limits (E.g. to allow increases in development) Many developing states were not included in limits (E.g. to allow increases in development) Widely perceived as a failure... ? Widely perceived as a failure... ?

David Layfield: International Policy on Climate : After Kyoto, What Next? Piece is a review of contemporary literature on the problems with the “ Kyoto Protocol ” - Written in period when standards were not being met and the protocol had not been renewed Piece is a review of contemporary literature on the problems with the “ Kyoto Protocol ” - Written in period when standards were not being met and the protocol had not been renewed Arguments about what was “ wrong ” with the deal: Arguments about what was “ wrong ” with the deal: 1) Lessons in IR theory: Sovereign statehood was going to make this hard. No one state is responsible for the system as a whole and there is no way to enforce standards(!) No one state is responsible for the system as a whole and there is no way to enforce standards(!) 2) International Political Economy: Demand for carbon emissions continue to increase(!) States developing new, dirtier sources of energy to support economy (Coal or “ Tar/Oil Sands ” ) States developing new, dirtier sources of energy to support economy (Coal or “ Tar/Oil Sands ” ) 3) Regime focused on producers that caused carbon emissions rather than consumers of final product. Unfair! Made Europe look good since they don ’ t make anything, but their real carbon producing consumption has gone up. Unfair! Made Europe look good since they don ’ t make anything, but their real carbon producing consumption has gone up.

David Layfield: International Policy on Climate : After Kyoto, What Next? Arguments suggest need for a reformed system, but obstacles are steep(!) Arguments suggest need for a reformed system, but obstacles are steep(!) States have “ cheated ” States have “ cheated ” Some states (including several of the worst polluters) have left the system Some states (including several of the worst polluters) have left the system E.g. Canada? E.g. Canada? Scientific “ debates ” different from “ Montreal Protocol ” = absence of “ consensus ”.... Scientific “ debates ” different from “ Montreal Protocol ” = absence of “ consensus ”....

4) Conclusions: Environmental issues illustrate many of the dynamics of international politics: “ Anarchy ” “ Anarchy ” Collective action problems Collective action problems Weaknesses in regimes and law Weaknesses in regimes and law And... the problematic implications of “ sovereignty ” and “ globalization ” And... the problematic implications of “ sovereignty ” and “ globalization ” However, some of the obstacles to better cooperation are the products of successful international regimes (e.g. Trade) However, some of the obstacles to better cooperation are the products of successful international regimes (e.g. Trade) Suggests problems should be manageable.... Suggests problems should be manageable....

5) For Next Time... Unit Six: International Political Economy “ Poverty, Development and Human Security ” Required Reading: Globalization of World Politics, Chapters 28 and 29. Globalization of World Politics, Chapters 28 and 29. Bruce R. Scott, “The Great Divide in the Global Village,” Foreign Affairs, Vol. 80, No. 1 (Jan. - Feb., 2001), Pp (Available from e- journals, or as an excerpt, from the instructor). Bruce R. Scott, “The Great Divide in the Global Village,” Foreign Affairs, Vol. 80, No. 1 (Jan. - Feb., 2001), Pp (Available from e- journals, or as an excerpt, from the instructor).