Domestic structure and international technological collaboration: Ocean pollution regulation

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explore the thesis that the domestic structural milieu (i.e. the state‐society relationship) provided a crucial link in the policy process of intergovernmental attempts to prevent and control ocean pollution from ships and oil during the period 1974–1978. Essentially, it is argued that the ability of political leaders to mobilize domestic resources toward environmental objectives is dependent upon the structure of the domestic political system (i.e. the intragovemmental framework), and the relationship between public and private actors (public‐private structure). In order to test this hypothesis, the study utilizes both aggregate and case study data. As predicted, both aspects of the state‐society relationship are found to be positively related to national support for ocean pollution regulation within the context of advanced industrial countries. In addition, suggestions are made for future research along these lines in order to further develop the linkage between ...