Ozone Depletion and Climate Change Constructing a Global Response

About this book

Matthew J. Hoffmann explores the fundamental question of who should participate in the global response to ozone depletion and climate change. Blending social constructivist theory with insights from the study of complex adaptive systems, Hoffmann develops a unique framework for understanding the emergence and evolution of participation norms, which define the appropriate global response and shape how states have perceived the problems, defined their interests and strategies, and pursued governance. The explanation is rigorously developed through an innovative combination of formal analysis and in-depth empirical case studies. Agent-based computer simulation modeling is employed to explore essential norm dynamics, analysis that is complemented and extended by process-tracing case studies that examine governance activities from 1986 through 2003. The result provides the understanding necessary for improving global responses to environmental problems.

"Hoffmann develops a novel theoretical framework to fill a large hole in the literature on global governance and international environmental politics. He illuminates the dynamic process in which norms emerge, change, and influence global governance and the choices of major states." - Neil E. Harrison, author of Constructing Sustainable Development

"Ozone Depletion and Climate Change is engaging and clearly written. I was particularly impressed with Hoffmann's ability to present his computer models in terms that are totally accessible to nonspecialists. He has produced an exceptional book that I anticipate will be popular in a variety of international relations courses." - Audie Klotz, author of Norms in International Relations: The Struggle against Apartheid

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