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Understanding and Rationalising the Relationship Between Global Environmental Politics, Mainstream, and Alternative Theories in a Globalised World

Bimbo OGUNBANJO, PhD

Abstract

Global environmental politics is a field that combines the analysis and evaluation of environmental politics and policies with their practical application. While governments and well- known political leaders are usually the focus of the traditional political perspective, non- traditional players like online-based civil society organisations are becoming more and more important in environmental politics at all levels. This paper emphasises how the later view of global environmental politics emphasises field research and education, but it is also critical to recognise the practical overlaps: Research on global environmental politics frequently converges with practice and, importantly, can educate those working in the subject; those who study it may use their expertise to become activists, work in business, or hold public office. This paper provides a historical overview of global environmental politics, showing how the field has evolved from focusing primarily on international environmental collaboration to a more interdisciplinary approach that includes a wide range of environmental political and policy activities while maintaining an emphasis on international relations. A comprehensive analysis of the literature demonstrates this evolution. All of the major theoretical frameworks used to research and comprehend global environmental politics are evaluated and critiqued in this paper, along with a few lesser-known theoretical approaches. The emphasis is on well-known theories like realism and rationalism, which might not always be congruent with actual or reasonable viewpoints. To understand the global dynamics underlying environmental challenges, many academics and occasionally even practitioners have embraced these theories. Additionally, the paper examines alternative theories that challenge traditional views, including constructivism and Marxism. These opposing perspectives often aim to highlight that ideas can hold as much im

Keywords

PoliticsEnvironmentGlobal Environmental PoliticsInternational Relations

References

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