141932 - Logrolling in antarctic governance.pdf (209.04 kB)
“Logrolling” in Antarctic governance: limits and opportunities
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 19:37 authored by Jeffrey McGeeJeffrey McGee, Bruno ArpiBruno Arpi, Andrew JacksonThe Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) is considered a successful example of international governance as it has managed tensions over sovereignty claims, avoided militarisation and dealt with marine resources and environmental protection. Recently, China’s influence and assertiveness in many international institutions have significantly grown. What effect this shift in the international politics will have upon Antarctic governance remains to be seen. However, to further thinking on this issue we explore two current case studies that reveal pressure points within the ATS. First, in the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, Australia has proposed marine protected areas off East Antarctica, to which China and several other states have objected. Second, in the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, China has proposed special management arrangements for the area around the “Kunlun” station, to which Australia and several other states have objected. Negotiation theory suggests “logrolling” (i.e. trade of mutual decision-making support across issue areas) can be an effective strategy to avoid diplomatic deadlocks. We therefore consider the merits of a logrolling strategy for the above issues. We find that while a logrolling strategy in the ATS might facilitate short-term diplomatic success, it would carry significant risks, including the weakening of existing norms.
Funding
Australian Research Council
History
Publication title
Polar RecordVolume
56Article number
e34Number
e34Pagination
1-11ISSN
0032-2474Department/School
Faculty of LawPublisher
Cambridge University PressPlace of publication
UKRights statement
Copyright 2020 The Author(s). Published by Cambridge University Press. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Repository Status
- Open