Environmental Governance: Explaining Environmental Performance - Coursework Example

Another theory of explaining climatic changes is that of neoliberal institutionalism. The neoliberal institutional theoretical approach is more concerned with international institutions as drivers of climatic change. This theoretical approach holds that since all states stand to gain from prevention of precarious climatic change, it can be assumed that they will ultimately realize the need for cooperation to tackle the problem of environmental degradation. International institutions as opposed to domestic ones would divulge the universal, common interest (Fiorino, 2014). In this context, neoliberal institutionalism attaches greater casual weight on international political processes as compared to domestic politics in relation to the state’s determination of its best interests.

While supporters of this theoretical perspective have in the past combined domestic and international factors as is evident in political economy, climatic policy practitioners and international relations scholars expects global climatic pacts and international institutions to come up with standardized and uniform effects at the national level. A key inference from this pressing issue is that sub-national and national concerns on climate change are much more legitimate. The assumptions upon which neoliberal institutionalism warrant some questionable expectations in relation to how climatic politics will materialize (Goldstein, 2002). One example can be borrowed from the ideology that as states become more developed economically and become capable of instituting actions to moderate climatic change, their interest to do so will increase. On the contrast, evidence suggests that enhance ability of authoritarian regimes results into deteriorated environmental outcomes (Fiorino, 2011). On the same note, preferences of political economy seems more critical as compared to the capacity of the state in relation to explaining the effectiveness of key international agreements with countries that have the same capacity showing different levels of reducing carbon emissions. This has earned neoliberal institutionalism a lot of criticism from different corners.

2.0 Comparative Analysis

Following the above ongoing discussion, a follow-up question would be: Do political institutions have a role in enhancing environmental performance? The role of institutions, both formal and informal in enhancing environmental performance cannot be overlooked. However as compared with interests and ideas and as defined under comparative politics, this is particularly problematic in relation to emerging economies. It is problematic discern the role of institutions particularly developing economies given that researchers may lack local knowledge, historical awareness and language skills required for successful completion of their work (Fiorino, 2011). This compounded by the existence of preconceived notions regarding the significance of formal institutions which are drawn from developed act to hinder successful research into the role of institutions in developing countries to enhance environmental performance.

Understandably, institutional analysis comprises much of climate change politics both at the national and sub-national, with the international level falling under neoliberal institutionalism. Of importance to note is that institutions form the starting point for conducting research about climate change at the domestic level (Fiorino, 2011). Institutional-oriented approach to politics of climatic change places primary informal factors behind economic performance or policy in organizational structures of the wider political economy. In line with this, institutions are considered as playing an important part in the production of unique combination of incentives and sanctions that defined the blueprint of political influence. It is these institutions that drive economic and political actors to act in certain ways and not others (Goldstein, 2002). For example, in industrialized economies such as the US, institutions play a key role in defining what is the right or wrong behavior.

On the contrary, the role of formal institutions in developing economies such as Asia may deviate significantly and methodically from what would otherwise be expected. This does not however imply that there is no state or that such economies are characterized by anarchy and informality. A good example can be drawn from rural Africa which is considered to be beyond state reach. Comparative analysis as opposed to what would be expected, the state has political presence in these areas which in turn shapes sub-national politics and policy implementation at the local level in widely predictable ways. Evidence has suggested that effective institutional solutions for administration of common property are similar for both developing and developed economies (Fiorino, 2014). Limiting climate policy to formal institutional type can be problematic in that this is hedged on the assumption that bureaucracies adhere to Weberian ideal model. In line with this, it can be observed that politics of climatic change cannot be solely explained via institutional analysis and consideration needs to be given check and balances among various parts if the government as well as the history of the state.

3.0 Policy Recommendation

There is a need to develop political cultures which are at ease with an active state and which more communitarian in relation to their values. Arguably, management of environment related issues calls for collective action whether in the form of bottom-up civic environmentalism, top-down regulation, public subsidies or emissions trading. Research should be directed at understanding what structures, institutions, policy instruments are best in terms of achieving established environmental goals. In this context, governments should endeavor to cultivate a culture of collective responsibility in which all actors are held responsible for ensuring environmental sustainability. This would involve enacting regulations and establishing standards that defines how policy goals will be achieved and at what time.

4.0 Conclusion

Despite the attention that has been accorded local, regional and international institutions in existing environmental policy literature, the number one factor to influence environmental performance remains to be the nation state. International institutions can only be successful if the national governments accord them an opportunity to be. Regional and local institutions are equally important but they are also dependent on national governments to develop policy choices and direct investments towards environment management. Much is still to be known at this stage but it is clear that formal and informal institutions plays a vital role in enhancing environmental performance and reducing environmental degradation to avert negative outcomes such as in the case of climate change.