"Mice can roar": small island states in international environmental policy

Abstract

This work investigates the question, "how do the small island states influence international environmental policy?" The cases examined are the work to develop the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone and the efforts of the island states in arguing for a strong international agreement to alleviate climate change. I argue that the greatest impact the small island states can have upon international environmental policy is at the pre-decision, agenda setting stage. The agenda setting framework developed by Kingdon (1984), is the one which forms the backbone of my study. I argue that the greatest influence of the island states occur in the development of the construction of the problem. Some problems make the option of waiting for more information a viable policy alternative, while other problem constructions insist on immediate, decisive action. In this effort to influence the definition of the problem, the island states attempt to gain the aid and support of the middle powers, a tactic that has advantages and drawbacks. The advantages are that the support of the middle powers gives the island states' proposals greater weight. However, a potential drawback is that the middle powers may dilute the stance of the island states by modifying the agreement. Also, international factors beyond the immediate influence of the island states (elections, regime changes, and changes in the international structure) can provide favorable conditions for the island states to push their point of view, or close off an avenue of action. With some modifications, Kingdon's agenda setting framework, originally designed and applied to the United States government, holds up surprisingly well when extended to an international issue and incorporating many states. The major modification occurs in the problem stream and the issue of problem definition, which I argue does not stand apart from Kingdon's other streams, but must be filtered through those other streams. This framework has tremendous utility for advancing our knowledge in international relations.