Brief description
The environment is now on domestic and international political agendas. Because of multiple linkages and ecological interdependence environmental issues are most effectively addressed at international, even global, level. But this brings to the fore the problem of obtaining and guaranteeing international cooperation in a system where states are sovereign. The environment as an international political economy issue is in some respects unique, but in other respects it shares to a greater or lesser degree structural characteristics with the other great issues of welfare and security.

After examining four discourses of politcal ecology the course considers the likelihood of and the obstacles to international cooperation. The module examines the differing experiences and outlook of the "North and the South", as well as a detailed investigation of some of the major current environmental issues such as global climate change, biodiversity loss etc. The course also examines the role and the future of the state in international environmental affairs.

Aims
The aim of the module is to enable you to locate the environment within the corpus of international relations theory and praxis.

Objectives
At the conclusion of the module you should be able to:

• critically evaluate the major environmental discourses
• link environmental change with the domestic and international economic, social and political context
• evaluate the likelihood of effective international environmental cooperation
• understand the role of the state in environmental politics
• appreciate the political economy of the major environmental problems

10 ECTS Credits