Global politics of the environment
Lorainne Elliot begins his article by saying that an exact definition of "global environmental governance" cannot be grasped but he depicts it as "a useful shorthand to describe changes in contemporary international political practice; as a metaphor for 'world collective life'; and as a Trojan horse for neoliberalism and green corporatism." From his opening statement, we can already see that Elliot views global environmental governance with a suspicious eye.Elliot goes on to state that global environmental governance "reflects, constitutes and masks global relations of power and powerlessness. It is neither normatively neutral or benign" Elliot looks beyond the surface and digs deeper into the structure of the problem, claiming that global environmental governance normalizes neoliberal policies, as embodied by the WTO and World Bank. Further, our group believes that since the US contributes a large sum to the funding of the WB and WTO, and since most of the employees of the said institutions are trained under neoliberal principles, these institutions reflect the interests and the voice of the US. This is an embodiment of the realists' hegemonic stability theory. Going back to the article, Elliot further argues that local voices
Democratization has done little to the poor. Elliot ends his article by saying that solving the environmental problem "requires new forms of political community and a new pattern of politics that is truly global rather than simply internationalism with a kinder face. Elliot agrees that "there is a pattern of increasing negotiation, cooperation, participation and institutional development. Democracy will ensure justice and equity. Can these environmental campaigns be a front by the First World countries to dodge criticism or mask their ill intentions? As what Elliot has stated, the current international political set up represents the interests of the powerful. Echoing what Robert Cox said, "Theory is always for someone and for some purpose. " In the global arena, local voices are indeed marginalized. Yet environmental degradation is not simply the result of past ignorance, weak policies or the wrong policy choices. The hegemon (the US), is spearheading campaigns to protect the environment yet they are one of the biggest pollutants in the world. governments pursue 'national' interests rather than global ones. It must be transparent, less central and there must be a more equitable sharing of wealth and technology. More often that not, the voices of Third World countries and the poor are not heard and they are the ones who ultimately suffer.
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Acceptance Essays
