Date of Publication

4-2025

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in International Studies Major in European Studies

Subject Categories

International Relations

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

International Studies

Thesis Advisor

Elaine Nicolas Tolentino

Defense Panel Chair

Ron Bridget T. Vilog

Defense Panel Member

Ma. Sjenica C. Sevilla
Malcolm Edrich Lim

Abstract/Summary

This research examines the oscillating stance of the United States toward global environmental agreements, specifically the Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement, through the frameworks of the logic of consequences and the logic of appropriateness. These frameworks provide insight on how the United States navigates foreign environmental policy. The analysis reveals that the participation or withdrawal of the United States from environmental agreements reflects their calculated decisions based on expected benefits from pursuing an action and alignment with its identity as guided by normative obligations. In the Montreal Protocol and the Paris Agreement under the Obama administration, the United States demonstrated leadership driven by perceived environmental risks, economic viability, and international expectations. Conversely, its rejection of the Kyoto Protocol and withdrawal from the Paris Agreement under the Trump administration were grounded in concerns over economic losses, equity in international obligations, and its identity emphasizing sovereignty and economic prioritization. The study concludes that the variations in the engagement of the United States with these agreements show that they support global environmental efforts when they align with its interests and identity, and withdraw when they do not.

Keywords: global environmental politics, multilateral agreements, climate change, logic of appropriateness, logic of consequences

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Environmental policy—International cooperation; Climatic changes; United States—Foreign relations

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Embargo Period

4-23-2025

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