The arena of International Relations has generally remained one focused mainly on issues such as power, security and conflicts between states, this ensured the dominance of the Neorealist approach.
However, the rising number of environmental issues has brought the problem of destabilizing climate change to light and the effectiveness of Neoliberalism in problem solving.
UN panel warns of dire climate change effects. Mar 31st 2014.
Over time, climate change continue to be one of the biggest and most obstinate issues concerning humanity to this day.
From a realist approach to climate change, it is the nature of the state to be reliant on self-help that makes the issue of climate change one that is not only complex but as a result impossible to solve through international cooperation.
Neoliberalism is one of the most successful theories of International Relations and is considered the revival of Liberalism. Neoliberals like the Liberals have a very positive outlook on human nature and strongly believe in humanity's ability to collectively progress through international cooperation and interaction. They believe that it is in the best interest of individual states to cooperate with each other in order to pursue common interests.
Aside from the influences of Liberalism, Neoliberalism Although Neorealism holds a marginalized
also shares common views with Neorealism. They both opinion on institutionalism, Neoliberals believe
share the perception and belief of states being state- that state-interdependence and
centric and egocentric but they differ in terms of their institutionalization will lead to successful
belief in the ability of states to look past this self- international cooperation.
centeredness in order to cooperate and strive for mutual
benefits.
Kerry urges action on climate change. Feb 16 2014.
Climate change offers a great opportunity for Neoliberals to apply their claims on the significance of institutionalism and international connectedness as well as displaying the effectiveness of Neoliberalism in tacking intricate current issues.
The fact that preventing the damages of climate change/global warming is in the interest of all states only solidifies the Neoliberal view of international cooperation in order to gain mutual benefits.
The cooperation of the United States and China to fight climate change shows the growing awareness of states to work together and cooperate in order to conquer challenges posed by global warming and destabilizing severe weather events.
Kerry: US to work with China on Climate Change. Feb 14 2014.
On Saturday, 15th Feb 2014, the US and China had announced their agreement on intensifying their efforts in addressing the issue of climate change. The US Secretary of State John F. Kerry declared that China and the US would work more closely together to tackle serious environmental issues well ahead of the global summit held at the end of 2015 on the issue of climate change.
So far, many of the conventions and conferences on global environmental issues have come to the conclusion shared by Neoliberalists on the importance of international cooperation as the key concept for progressing in environmental protection.
This is seen through the decision of the US to cooperate with China on the issue of climate change.
This is only fitting as not only do they have the biggest economies in the world but they are also the highest producers and emitters of greenhouse gases and contributing to the increasing concerns caused by climate change.
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| Largest emitters of CO2. Photo credit to Google Image. |
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| US plans accelerated climate change cooperation with China. |
The two states have agreed to collaborate in terms of enhancing dialogue on policies as well as information sharing on their plans to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. This is in compliance with the Neoliberal notion of interconnectedness and interaction in order to successfully cooperate and approach mutual interests.
There has also been talk about US-China plans to develop measures that will assist and enable poorer states in adjusting to climate change and severe weather events. This setting an example for the rest of the international arena.
The stress put on increasing efforts on exchanging information, active interaction between China and the US and cooperation on forming effective policies to decrease environmental issues and global warming display the fundamental concepts of Neoliberalism in order to solve problems in international relations.
While Neoliberalism acknowledges the difficulties of state-centric nations to achieve interaction and cooperation in a state of anarchy, they do believe that international actors will be able to move past their egoistic behaviors in order to cooperate on major problems that call for interdependence such as the issue of climate change.
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| US and Chinese Flag. Photo credit to Google Image. |
In conclusion, climate change remains one of the biggest issues facing humanity to today and will continue to increase in seriousness overtime. The need for states to cooperate and interact in order to decrease the environmental threats posed by climate change only proves the key concepts and relativity of Neoliberalism in solving problems in the international relations realm.
China's decision to cooperate with the US on tackling the problem of climate change and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions reassures the positive stand of Neoliberals on human nature and their ability to move past self-help and become interdependent and cooperate in order to address mutual interests to achieve mutual benefits.
References
Danil Akbar
Taqwadin. Global Environmental Cooperation on Neoliberal Institutionalism
Perspective. Retrieved from: http://www.academia.edu/3846321/Global_Environmental_Cooperation_on_Neoliberal_Institutionalism_Perspective
Jeremiah
Collins. 2012. Assessing International Cooperation on Climate Change. Retrieved
from: http://journals.library.mun.ca/ojs/index.php/MP/article/view/367
Simon
Denyer. 2014. U.S., China pledge cooperation on climate change. Retrieved from:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/us-china-to-cooperate-on-climate-change/2014/02/15/4064e818-963e-11e3-ae45-458927ccedb6_story.html
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