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Can Unilateral Leadership Promote International Environmental Cooperation?

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  • Johannes Urpelainen

Abstract

Why do governments sometimes exercise unilateral leadership in international environmental cooperation, such as the mitigation of global climate change? It is usually the case that unilateral leadership cannot solve the problem at hand, so it is not clear what the benefits of unilateral leadership are. In this article, I provide a new political rationale for unilateral leadership. I show that if a green politician (worried about environmental destruction) fears that he or she will probably lose power soon, he or she may want to unilaterally implement domestic mitigation policies to reduce the domestic cost of mitigation in the future. By exercising unilateral leadership, this politician ensures that even a future brown politician (only mildly interested in environmental protection) is, due to the domestic cost reduction, willing to engage in international cooperation. The findings imply that while unilateral leadership is not a panacea, it may be a useful commitment device under empirically plausible conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Johannes Urpelainen, 2011. "Can Unilateral Leadership Promote International Environmental Cooperation?," International Interactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(3), pages 320-339, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ginixx:v:37:y:2011:i:3:p:320-339
    DOI: 10.1080/03050629.2011.596018
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    1. Trevor Houser & Rob Bradley & Britt Childs, 2008. "Leveling the Carbon Playing Field: International Competition and US Climate Policy Design," Peterson Institute Press: All Books, Peterson Institute for International Economics, number 4204.
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    Cited by:

    1. Karoliina Hurri & Sanna Kopra, 2023. "Applicability of leadership modes outside the negotiation framework: insights from China," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 28(6), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Jon Hovi & Hugh Ward & Frank Grundig, 2015. "Hope or Despair? Formal Models of Climate Cooperation," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 62(4), pages 665-688, December.

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