American Foreign Environmental Policy and the Power of the State

Understanding the role of the state in environmental policy

Stephen Hopgood author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:26th Feb '98

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

American Foreign Environmental Policy and the Power of the State cover

This book presents a compelling argument for the role of the state in foreign environmental policy, challenging the idea of diminishing sovereignty. American Foreign Environmental Policy and the Power of the State offers valuable insights into International Relations.

In American Foreign Environmental Policy and the Power of the State, the author, Hopgood, presents a groundbreaking examination of the state's ongoing significance in the realm of International Relations. Through extensive and original research, he argues that the perceived decline of state sovereignty and the domestic-international divide is exaggerated, particularly in the context of foreign environmental policy. The book delves into how central state officials have been instrumental in shaping American foreign environmental policy, emphasizing that the state continues to be a key player despite the rise of non-governmental organizations and international institutions.

Hopgood's analysis challenges prevailing theories in the field, including Realist, Pluralist, and Marxist perspectives, by advocating for a state-centric approach. He contends that while domestic and international factors are influential, the state remains the primary institution for policy-making in foreign environmental matters. This focus allows for a nuanced understanding of the interplay between various political dynamics, providing valuable insights into the complexities of environmental governance on a global scale.

This pioneering study not only enriches the discourse within International Relations theory but also serves as a vital resource for scholars in environmental studies. With its detailed empirical research and compelling arguments, American Foreign Environmental Policy and the Power of the State is essential reading for anyone interested in the intricate relationship between state power and environmental policy-making.

provides a useful framework for analyzing international environmental policy ... For those interested in the US involvement in those conferences, this study is rich with detail. It should be added to any library on international environmental policy ... the book is worthwhile for activist, policymaker, and scholar alike. * Richard A Matthew, Environment Vol 41 No7, Summer 1999 *
Hopgood adds some interesting detail to the picture of shambolic progress in US policy-making in the run-up to and during the Earth Summit.
this book makes an interesting argument about the role of the state in international environmental politics. * J Samuel Barkin, Political Science Quarterly, Fall 99 *
The work is based on extensive primary research and represents a significant contribution to theories of international relations and foreign policy. - International Environmental Studies. Vol 56. 1998
Hopgood paints a realistic picture of American environmental policy making and links many of his arguments to named people, often with strong personal views. This is refreshing and emphasises how abstract policies are interpreted, distorted, and used by the people who work with them. - Nicholas C, Flemming in American Studies Vol33 No1 1999
Although it is not clear that large-scale environmental conferences are the most representative aspects of US foreign environmental policy, the depth with which they are examined will certainly prove useful to anyone who cares about understanding the US policy process in general or environmental policy specifically. - DeSombre, Choice Jan 1999 Vol.36 No.5

ISBN: 9780198292593

Dimensions: 226mm x 145mm x 21mm

Weight: 482g

272 pages