Theorizing State Participation in International Environmental Agreements (IEAs)
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: What factors can explain the observed variation in the level of state participation in IEAs? Relying on the two main theories of international cooperation, Realism and Liberalism, this study systematically analyzes the determinants of state participation in IEAs through multiple regression analysis. The analysis presents four different models for state participation in IEAs. The first two models, the Power-Interest Model and the Liberal-Interdependent Model, analyze the influence of realist and liberal variables on state participation in IEAs. The third model, the Developing-Logistics Model, specifically analyzes the influence of domestic conditions endemic to developing countries. Finally, the fourth model, the Integrated Model, presents an integrated analysis of participation based on the previous three models. Results of the study show that participation in IEAs is positively influenced by high levels of economic and human development, strong domestic institutions, state participation in international institutions, and civic engagement. Participation is negatively impacted by low levels of economic and human development, corruption, high dependence on foreign aid, high levels of under-nutrition, and high levels of military expenditures. From a theoretical perspective, the analysis shows that participation can be understood in terms of both Realist and Liberal variables, and therefore an integrated theoretical perspective may bring a better understanding of international environmental cooperation than a rarefied partitioning of the variables.
Source: World environment
Author: Chenaz B. Seelarbokus
Institution: Kennesaw State University
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W144259863