Lesson 4: International Policy Making

Question 1

Environmental Global public goods issues

Answer 1

1) Global warming

2) Pollution

Question 2

International climate policy in game theoretical terms

Answer 2

• Two countries
• Actions: reduce CO2 emissions or not
• Simultaneous game

Question 3

Characteristics of international environmental policy making

Answer 3

International relations: A set of actors in an anarchical state
• No central authority to enforce contracts
• State sovereignty
• Voluntary cooperation (international agreements)
• Dominant decision making mode: bargaining

Nations disagree over the distribution of costs

Example: UN Climate Change Conference, other summits

Question 4

Simple bargaining model

Answer 4

• Simple model with two countries
• Bargain over the level of a policy (e.g., moderate-ambitious, low-high)
• Winset (Pareto set) determines if there is an agreement

Question 5

Simple bargaining model

Answer 5

• Simple model with two countries
• Bargain over the level of a policy (e.g., moderate-ambitious, low-high)
• Winset (Pareto set) determines if there is an agreement

Question 6

Putnam (1986) model

Answer 6

Model where two countries negotiate through chief negotiators, however, they face domestic constraints

1. International negotiations stage
   - Countries negotiate agreement
   - Can be moderate or ambitious
2. Domestic ratification stage
   - Domestic veto players can ratify (or not ratify)

Question 7

Paradox of weakness (Putnam)

Answer 7

Adding domestic constraints can realize more favorable deals

Illustrates importance of domestic actors:

• Policymakers’ ideal points
• Special interests
• Public opinion…

Question 8

What determines the win-set? (Putnam)

Answer 8

Given up on unitary actor assumption

Domestic preferences & interests
• Example: people who gain and others who lose from international trade

Domestic institutions
• Example: direct democracy, federalism

Negotiator’s strategy
• Example: reelection prospects

Question 9

How does public opinion matter?

Answer 9

• Electoral accountability: Governments want to be re-elected
• Persistence: Some problems require long-term efforts; not possible against majority of citizens
• Sustainability: Enforcement costs may be prohibitive if widespread individual opposition against a policy

Example: Individual attitudes towards free trade

Question 10

What do domestic preferences & interests hinge upon?

Answer 10

Nature of domestic cleavages => Create different bargaining constraints

Example:
Winners vs losers
Environmentalists vs non-environmentalists

Question 11

Link between int. trade and int. environmental policy

Answer 11

Public opinion => Worries about the consequences of free trade

Question 12

Link between int. trade and int. environmental policy

Answer 12

Public opinion => Worries about the consequences of free trade

Environmentalists view free trade less favorably (Betchtel et al conclusion)

• pollution due to import/export flows
• changing structure of economy in low-regulating countries affects environment (pollution havens)
• destruction of local production and traditions

Question 13

Bechtel et al. typology of environmentalist

Answer 13

Affective

Cognitive

Conative

Question 14

RQ:
1. What are the main characteristics of international
policy-making?

Answer 14

No central authority to enforce contracts, state sovereignty, voluntary cooperation, bargaining

Question 15

RQ:

2. What is the role of domestic constraints in international negotiations?

Answer 15

– Domestic constraints can enable countries to realize more favorable bargaining outcomes (in either direction)

Question 16

3. Why does public opinion matter for international policymaking?

Answer 16

– Electoral accountability, persistence, sustainability