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Multi-level and multi-arena governance: the limits of integration and the possibilities of forum shopping

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  • Aynsley Kellow

Abstract

Global governance occurs through a large number of issue-area regimes that constitute multiple arenas of governance at multiple levels. This paper draws upon established literature from public administration to show that such fragmentation is unavoidable, because it occurs even in governance at the national level. Moreover, while such fragmentation undoubtedly carries with it problems, it also brings advantages, such as redundancy which makes it less likely that blame avoidance will result in issues being overlooked. The existence of multiple arenas also makes possible the phenomenon of ‘forum shopping’, which allows entrepreneurial actors to advance (or block) the development of international agreements. Using primarily examples from environmental governance, but with some comparative examples from other issue areas, this paper reflects upon both the threats and opportunities this reality presents, suggesting that the prevailing fragmentation of governance at once presents not just an obstacle to global governance, but opportunities for improving global governance—opportunities that would not occur if a single regime enjoyed a monopoly on governing capacity. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

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  • Aynsley Kellow, 2012. "Multi-level and multi-arena governance: the limits of integration and the possibilities of forum shopping," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 327-342, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ieaple:v:12:y:2012:i:4:p:327-342
    DOI: 10.1007/s10784-012-9172-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aynsley Kellow & Anthony R. Zito, 2002. "Steering through Complexity: EU Environmental Regulation in the International Context," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 50(1), pages 43-60, March.
    2. Moravcsik, Andrew, 1999. "A New Statecraft? Supranational Entrepreneurs and International Cooperation," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 53(2), pages 267-306, April.
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    6. Young, Oran R., 1999. "Comment on Andrew Moravcsik, “A New Statecraft? Supranational Entrepreneurs and International Cooperation”," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 53(4), pages 805-809, October.
    7. Andries Hof & Michel Elzen & Detlef Vuuren, 2009. "Environmental effectiveness and economic consequences of fragmented versus universal regimes: what can we learn from model studies?," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 39-62, February.
    8. Virginie Guiraudon, 2000. "European Integration and Migration Policy: Vertical Policy‐making as Venue Shopping," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(2), pages 251-271, June.
    9. Sprinz, Detlef & Vaahtoranta, Tapani, 1994. "The interest-based explanation of international environmental policy," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 48(1), pages 77-105, January.
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    2. Joseph Earsom, 2023. "It’s not as simple as copy/paste: the EU’s remobilisation of the High Ambition Coalition in international climate governance," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 27-42, March.

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