Common wisdom holds that the earth's dwindling
natural resources and increasing environmental
degradation will inevitably lead to inter-state
conflict, and possibly even set off ''resource wars.''
Many scholars and policymakers have considered the
environmental roots of violent conflict and instability,
but little attention has been paid to the idea that
scarcity and degradation may actually play a role in
fostering inter-state cooperation. Beyond Resource Wars
fills this gap, offering a different perspective on the
links between environmental problems and inter-state
conflict. Although the contributors do not deny that
resource scarcity and environmental degradation may
become sources of contention, they argue that these
conditions also provide the impetus for cooperation,
coordination, and negotiation between states. The book
examines aspects of environmental conflict and
cooperation in detail, across a number of natural
resources and issues including oil, water, climate
change, ocean pollution, and biodiversity
conservation.The contributors argue that increasing
scarcity and degradation generally induce cooperation
across states, but when conditions worsen (and a problem
becomes too costly or a resource becomes too scarce),
cooperation becomes more difficult. Similarly, low
levels of scarcity may discourage cooperation because
problems seem less urgent. With contributions from
scholars in international relations, economics, and
political science, Beyond Resource Wars offers a
comprehensive and robust investigation of the links
among scarcity, environmental degradation, cooperation,
and conflict |
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