University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Multi-level and multi-arena governance: the limits of integration and the possibilities of forum shopping

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 16:14 authored by Aynsley KellowAynsley Kellow
Global governance occurs through a large number of issue-area regimes that constitute multiple arenas of governance at multiple levels. This paper draws upon established literature from public administration to show that such fragmentation is unavoidable, because it occurs even in governance at the national level. Moreover, while such fragmentation undoubtedly carries with it problems, it also brings advantages, such as redundancy which makes it less likely that blame avoidance will result in issues being overlooked. The existence of multiple arenas also makes possible the phenomenon of ‘forum shopping’, which allows entrepreneurial actors to advance (or block) the development of international agreements. Using primarily examples from environmental governance, but with some comparative examples from other issue areas, this paper reflects upon both the threats and opportunities this reality presents, suggesting that the prevailing fragmentation of governance at once presents not just an obstacle to global governance, but opportunities for improving global governance—opportunities that would not occur if a single regime enjoyed a monopoly on governing capacity.

History

Publication title

International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics

Volume

12

Issue

4

Pagination

327-342

ISSN

1567-9764

Department/School

School of Social Sciences

Publisher

Springer Netherlands

Place of publication

Netherlands

Rights statement

Copyright 2012 Springer, Part of Springer Science+Business Media

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Environmental policy, legislation and standards not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC