International Relations and Cooperation in Dealing With Global Warming - Term Paper Example

Lecturer: International relations Introduction Global climate change remains the most threatening and intractable environmental problem with regard to the existence of the planet. Carbon dioxide being the most crucial of all the greenhouses gases contributes to global warming because following the pre-industrial period carbon dioxide levels rose nearly 30% as a result of deforestation coupled with fossil fuel combustion. Global warming represents a disruption in the environment and carbon dioxide being the main greenhouse gas contributes 55% to global warming. Other atmospheric gases that contribute to global warming include methane, CFC’s (Chloroflourocarbons) with the main source being human generated carbon from fossil fuels. Elimination of chloflourocarbon production, halting deforestation followed by reforestation and reduction of carbon and other green house gas emissions from combustion of fossil fuels requires global understanding of the crisis and global cooperation. One of the most significant developments in recent decades has been the introduction of international carbon trading as a way of promoting nature conservation through limiting greenhouse gas emission (Laurance 20 & 21). International carbon trading remains the most viable near-term strategy in slowing down deforestations and under the existing and future international agreements for participating nations in reducing emission to a certain level. However, negotiations for Kyoto that was formalized in 1997 to use initiatives of carbon trading in order to slow deforestation resulted in heated resistance coming from various quarters. For instance, various environmental groups especially in Europe opposed the notion that rich nations like US may simply purchase their way out of their international obligations in controlling the burgeoning industrial as well as automobile emissions instead of making substantial reductions in emissions. This among other concerns propelled the dropping of “reduced-deforestation” provision from the Kyoto protocol during its initial commitment period. However, newly formed coalition between rainforest nations basing on earlier efforts by scientists and environmental organizations persuasively argue for the issue to be brought back to the table. Carbon trading targeting the reduction of deforestation achieved temporary acceptance in 2007; but, it was until 2009 that it was properly adopted as climate mitigation strategy in Copenhagen. The change in attitude was as a result of the alarming acceleration of greenhouse gas emission across the globe because of the continued emissions in industrial nations and increased emission from developing nations (Laurance 21 & 22). However, development of viable mechanism for decreasing global warming through deforestation requires surmounting various practical as well as political challenges. Theoretical paradigms Liberalism Liberalism is an approach to the various forms of human organizations regardless of whether they are political or economic in nature and consists of social theory, philosophy and ideology. Therefore, liberalism has opinion for every aspect of human life; for instance, in terms of philosophy, liberalism is founded on the belief of inherent good character of all humans, the value for individual liberty and the prospect of human progress. Hence, liberalism uses the language of rationality, human rights, moral autonomy, democracy opportunity and choice and has its basis on the commitment to principles of liberty and equality that are justified by rationality (Steans 24). Since international liberalism serves as a theory for international relations as well as a political ideology, the perspective in international relations normally works together with scientific findings. Liberalism is inclined to be optimistic because it has an improved view of development in human affairs and believes in a free, more ordered and less violent world that is not only desirable but also possible (Puchala 189). Liberalism as an ideology seeks alternative world view mostly political realism where many liberals are unable to accept realist visions of stubborn conflict in human affairs. Liberalism affirms a cluster of values that include individualism, freedom, political equality, peace, popular sovereignty and unrestricted commerce among others (Puchala 189). As a means of action, liberalism commits to steady expansion of human freedom through various political and economic strategies ascertained through reason and in most cases enhanced by technology (Puchala 190). As a perspective in international relations, liberalism aspires to offer an explanation into the relations linking nations in terms of conceptualized processes that include integration, institutionalization, liberalization and democratization (Puchala 190). Modernization in present-day international relations explains the emergence of complex interdependence and points out the significance of international organizations. International regimes being informal international institutions are increasingly important because they are made up of agreed-upon principles and norms that through mutual understanding and devotion regulate states’ behavior with regard to particular issues or sectors (Puchala 211). Therefore, claiming that liberalism perspective is among the most influential theories in political ideas not only in domestic politics but also in international relations is not an exaggeration (Haar 1). Realism Realists unanimously agree that the human nature contains ineradicable egoistic passions, which define central problems in politics and that statesmanship is dominated by the desire to control this part of human nature. In countries, human nature is normally tamed by hierarchical political authority that rules with statesmanship involving mitigation and management of conflict instead of eliminating it (Donnelly 10). Realism as one of the most influential perspectives in international relations has its roots in conservative social as well as political philosophy. A crucial element in the conservative social as well as political philosophy involves the pessimistic view of the human nature; hence, the conservative world view considers people to be flawed and imperfect creatures. Realism considers human nature to be a mix of both good and bad features with the latter being impossible to completely eliminate. Therefore, realism’s conservative viewpoint on international affairs emphasizes the certainty of conflict between nations (Shimko 36). Realism applies both conservative and classical insights to studying and understanding international relations. Realists consider group identity and conflict as essential elements in understanding international relations because realism believes that foundations of political life are in conflict groups. This is a way of showing that in a world with scarce resources; human beings confront each other as members of groups instead of isolated individuals. At the international level, the main group identity is the nation-state; therefore, realism in contemporary international relations concerns the interactions and conflict among nations (Shimko 39). Realism is a broad approach to international politics as opposed to being a single theory making it one of the dominant approaches for studying international relations; even through, there have been various versions competing to offer better explanations in the rapidly changing world. Realism continues to be popular in global politics because of the persistence of allegiance to political units that are realists and argued to be the principal actor in global politics (Devetak, Anthony and Jim 54 & 55). Realism is not considered as a perennial mode of international thought but as a particular 20th century response to certain events like world wars; therefore, a proper understanding of realism involves acknowledgement of the fact that realists respond to horrors of the 20th century (Hall 49). Realism highlights constraints forced on political beliefs by human nature and the lack of worldwide government, which makes international relations a realm of power and interest. Realists argue that ethical considerations and objectives have to be subordinated to the reason of the state; moreover, realism justifies and necessitates individualistic political policies. As well, realism maintains universal moral principles are not applicable to actions of states but other criteria limited and more practical has to be allowed to prevail. Besides, realist paradigm is made up of theories that share several core beliefs like the fact that nations are the principal actors in world politics because they are sovereign political entities. International relations theories and global warming Scholars in international relations face various theoretical and analytical challenges with regard to the problem of global warming. For the main traditions of realism and liberalism, the obvious framework for analyzing climate politics remains the problem with regard to collective action. Global warming is seen as a problem with basic contradiction between its nature as a global problem that does not respect international borders and the organizations of world politics in separate sovereign states. Resolving global warming necessitates action from all nations; however, there is no authority capable of imposing such an action. The international system is made up of features that make collective action very hard to achieve with both realists and liberals agreeing on this; however, they differ with regard to the difficulty of pursuing cooperation. Realists believe that the possibility of cooperation is strictly limited to the way nations are jealous about their sovereignty making them reluctant to cooperate even when they have common interest with other nations. Moreover, realists believe that nations are preoccupied with physical and territorial security that acts as relative gain boosters when engaging in potential cooperative ventures. The persistent conflict and the failure of other nations to persuade the US to stay with the Kyoto regime are likely highlight for realists in showing evidence for their approach (Griffiths 344). On the other hand, the prospect for international cooperation and regime building in liberalism remains mainly optimistic regardless of sovereignty being the main challenge to the cooperation. Liberals believe that nations usually have wide margins for survival, which allows them to act like boosters which increase the inclination toward pursuing cooperation by the states in order to gain; even though, it may not be equal gain. Realism image of cooperation bases on the assumption within game theory regarding one shot games; however, international cooperation involves repeated games over a period of time. Therefore, nations can develop strategies for eliciting cooperation from others in order to deter free riding with regard to global warming. This brings international institutions into play because they play a huge role in enabling and finding cooperative solutions. These international organizations act to facilitate transfer of information, develop trust and even decrease transaction costs. Liberals emphasize against the backdrop of the entrenched differences in nation interests, the remarkable extent of cooperation that has been achieved so far in dealing with global warming. Given the problems realist highlight, it is surprising the way states have agreed to cooperate and communicate with one another in detail regarding their greenhouse gas strategies. For instance, industrialized nations commit themselves to stabilizing their emission and then reducing emissions through averaging 5% indicated in Kyoto and even developing highly innovative institutional mechanisms. Liberals argue that international institutions have in fact shaped the patterns involved in cooperation like making it difficult to argue that there is too much scientific uncertainty in justifying the actions to decrease emissions (Griffiths 345). From the perspective of political economy two different arguments emerge one being that both realist and liberal perspectives never elaborate the systematic nature and depth of conflict over global warming. From the standpoint of political economy, this is mainly based in the structural inequalities operating in the global economy. The other argument focuses on the power of business in contemporary policies in explaining the patterns of policy development both in and between nations. This perspective points out central analytical point is the relation between states and social forces within capitalist society where business is structurally dominant instead of relations between nations. Various broad business interests can be discerned within climate politics one of them being the coalitions of US firms that previously undermined actions to decrease emissions. On the other hand, there were businesses with interest in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and these businesses of renewable energy alongside energy efficiency and conservation offered countervailing pressure with regard to the economic costs of action. Other industries are significantly influenced by the impacts of climate change one of which is the insurance industry that raised concerns about the potential impacts associated with increase in frequency and severity of extreme climate events. These industries are concerned that the extreme changes can cause major disruptions in financial institutions and consequently the global economy (Griffiths 345 & 346). This points out that the power of business within climate politics is complex but resides at the heart of global warming politics that focuses on structural power of business within capitalist society. Throughout the climate change debate, the concerns center on whether to decrease emissions or not and there are concerns by how much because they are dominated by deliberations on impacts to GDP growth. The noted differences in business interests over global warming reflect the challenge because there are distinct blocs of interests that have different growth strategies underpinning their perceptions (Griffiths 346). The exceptional development in globalization has increased the necessity for effective domestic policy regarding management of the environment as well as the economy. Therefore, governance over actions of subjects through regulations comes in to ensure that steps are taken when tackling the challenge of global warming. In international relations, governance is associated with exercise of nation sovereignty; however, in the increasingly globalised world nations are bound by multilateral and bilateral agreements that develop mutual binding obligations that greatly scrutinize governments (Griffiths 347). Liberalism offers much less pessimistic outlook on international relations with regard to the challenge of global warming since it acknowledges the progress made so far in the subject and is much persuasive compared to realism. While, realism points out that the basic characteristics in international relations have not changed, liberalism finds that progress is possible. Liberal arguments seem to be realistic compared to those offered by realists because they help in comprehending the extensive collaboration that exists worldwide. Although there are no guarantees in the increased and sustained progress in cooperation targeting global warming, liberals believe that it is both attainable by intelligent as well as reasonable actors. Although both realism and liberalism believe that anarchy inexorably forces nations to look for power in order to survive, liberalism shows that there has been an increase in collaboration throughout the world (DAnieri 84). According to Griffiths (345), liberalism allows industrialized nations to commit themselves to stabilizing their emissions and then decreasing the emission in accordance with the Kyoto protocol. Moreover, according to Griffiths (345) nations agree to collectively communicate to one another in details concerning their greenhouse gas strategies. The issue of global warming in international relations through the perspective of liberalism theory looks at the distribution of power among the nations of the world in order to assess chances of cooperation. Conclusion International cooperation is predominant and is continually increasing in the current world coupled by the various international regimes like those involved in combating climate change. Global warming presents a forum for a dialogue between realists and liberals in this context resulting in various international relations issues. Liberalism has been essential in pointing out that nations provide support in sustaining international common good because of its optimistic nature compared to realism. Liberals show that international organizations act as intermediaries between the pure and simple respect of nation’s sovereignty and their voluntary limitation. Moreover, liberals indicate that nations are capable of sharing information regarding strategies on handling greenhouse gas emission and that nations are keen on making sure they deal with global warming. This helps point out the possibility of nations cooperating in dealing with global warming through agreements that promote the common good for all nations since global warming is not confined by sovereign bounders. The spike in global trend with regard to concerns raised by the challenges posed by global warming propels international relations and cooperation in dealing with global warming. Works cited DAnieri, Paul J. International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012. Print. Devetak, Richard, Anthony Burke, and Jim George. Introduction to International Relations: Australian Perspectives. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print Donnelly, Jack. Realism and International Relations. Cambridge, [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2000. Print. Griffiths, Martin. Encyclopedia of International Relations and Global Politics. Routledge, 2013. Internet resource. Haar, Edwin . Classical Liberalism and International Relations Theory: Hume, Smith, Mises, and Hayek. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2009. Internet resource. Hall, Ian. "The Triumph Of Anti-Liberalism? Reconciling Radicalism To Realism In International Relations Theory." Political Studies Review 9.1 (2011): 42-52. Academic Search Premier. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. Laurance, William F. "The Politics Of Conservation: Using International Carbon Trading To Protect Forests And Biodiversity." Social Alternatives 29.3 (2010): 20-24. Academic Search Premier. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. Puchala, Donald J. Theory and History in International Relations. New York: Routledge, 2003. Print. Shimko, Keith L. International Relations: Perspectives, Controversies and Readings. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, 2013. Print. Steans, Jill. An Introduction to International Relations Theory: Perspectives and Themes. , 2013. Internet resource. Read More