Epistemic Communities, Constructivism and International Environmental Politics

This book is a collection of previously published work on epistemic communities, constructivism, and international environmental politics. Integrating 20 plus years of research and writing on these subjects, Epistemic Communities, Constructivism and International Environmental Politics focuses on the evolution of collective understanding and management of global environmental threats.

Analysing the impact of organized knowledge on collective patterns of international environmental politics, these writings seek to establish the context from which science becomes valued, how it is organized for political purposes, and the various social institutions associated with its diffusion and adoption. Other sections discuss the effectiveness of environmental regimes, and the broader dynamics over time engendered by the involvement of epistemic communities. These selections cover a variety of materials related to the role of ideas in international relations, including a set of policy related applications having to do with the use and organization of science as well as UN institutional reform.

This collection will also have a new introductory chapter, providing a retrospective overview of the author’s work, as well as brief introductions to each section, providing intellectual histories and policy applications. The volume will be of interest to those working in international environmental politics and international relations as a whole.

Peter M. Haas is Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts.His research interests include international relations, international relations theory, international political economy, international environmental politics, international institutions and global governance.