The environmental issue and the international influence of small states

Abstract

In recent years many changes have occurred in the international system. Many of the old structures have given way to a more fluid network of international relations. This has been in part due to the kind of issues that have become salient. This thesis argues that some of these issues, in particular environmental issues, may contribute to changing the way small states exercise influence. The premise is that environmental issues represent a unique set of issues. They have the ability to undermine the basis or assumptions upon which human society is operational. Recent scientific evidence indicates that environmental degradation is reaching crisis point. Every day precious rainforests are logged down; every day groups of plant and animal species either become endangered or extinct; and every day the Earth warms further. If a concerted international effort is not made to combat these problems, the consequences could be beyond human repair. The nature and global dimension of these issues requires that a new approach be used to combat them. They cannot be resolved by confrontational means which, evidence indicates, have exacerbated them. What is needed is international cooperation at a level hitherto untried. States need to coordinate their efforts to produce action that is effective. Small states have an opportunity to improve their influence in the international system by facilitating this process. Many of the constraints that have traditionally hindered small states are now redundant. For example, the cold war no longer exists, this has resulted in a new international scenario. Small states no longer have to depend on bigger states to the same extent, in order to achieve their interests. Indeed it might be said, that in some cases, small states have an advantage in the international relations of environmental diplomacy, particularly as regards their participation in international organizations. Environmental issues, as this thesis suggests, question the validity of the proposition that small state influence is a determinant of size. It may be related more to the issues concerned and their impact.