Abstract
Many efforts to solve environmental problems arising at the international or transnational level meet with limited success or even end in outright failure. But some efforts of this sort succeed. We construct an analytical model of such efforts leading to the conclusion that an ability to steer a course that avoids the twin perils of institutional reductionism and institutional overload is necessary to achieve success in this realm. We examine a range of risk factors or conditions likely to push processes of regime formation and implementation into one or the other of these pitfalls. We then analyze response strategies or procedures that negotiators and administrators can adopt to steer a course between the two perils, taking into account distinctive features of specific problems. We turn to marine issues to illustrate our reasoning. But the argument is applicable to the entire range of efforts to create and implement international environmental regimes.
Highlights
Efforts to create governance systems or, as we often say, regimes to address international or transboundary environmental problems often produce results whose contributions to problem solving are limited or that even end in outright failure
Our core argument is that finding ways to overcome the pitfalls associated with the twin perils of institutional reductionism and institutional overload is necessary for the achievement of success
Failure can take the forms of stillborn regimes, defective agreements, dead letters, or regimes lacking in adaptive capacity
Summary
Efforts to create governance systems or, as we often say, regimes to address international or transboundary environmental problems often produce results whose contributions to problem solving are limited or that even end in outright failure. In the substantive sections of this article, we begin with an analysis of the twin perils, first probing the nature of institutional reductionism and examining institutional overload This provides a basis for the analysis of what we call risk factors or conditions that tend to push efforts to create or implement governance systems toward reductionism or overload, even in cases where there are experienced participants familiar with the processes involved in negotiating international environmental agreements. In each case, devising a response strategy that works constitutes a necessary condition for success; regimes that fail to meet this test cannot succeed in solving the problem(s) leading to their creation. We believe the factors and responses we do consider are among those most relevant to institutional success or failure
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
