CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020
| Author | Vetier, Márta |
|---|---|
| Title | The Impacts of Social Networks in Regional Environmental Regimes on Regime Outcomes and Interactions The Case of the Carpathian Convention |
| Summary | Although there is general agreement that environmental regimes (the formal and informal rules, norms, principles and procedures that influence the behaviour of states and other actors) contribute to mitigating human-induced environmental problems, many open questions remain concerning what makes one regime succeed and another fail. This question is even more pressing for regional regimes for which very little is known about their effectiveness and interactions. The overarching aim of this dissertation is to understand if and how a regional environmental regime can contribute to global environmental governance by examining the Carpathian Convention over its first 15 years. Combining quantitative social network analysis methods (affiliation-based bipartite network, survey-based social network, citation-based ego-network analysis) with qualitative analysis of participant observation and semi-structured interviews provides the basis for analysing of the structure and functioning of the Carpathian Convention’s networks. The dissertation develops propositions for how the structural and functional characteristics of regime actors’ social network can be linked to the outcomes of the regime, and what roles regional regimes can play in regime interactions. At the theoretical level, this dissertation concludes that the network driving forces of homophily and triadic closure may lead to the swift emergence of a core-periphery network in regional regimes due to the smaller number and more homogenous group of actors that characterises regional regimes. It also claims that the network structural effects of activities carried out by regime actors can have both positive and negative implications for regime outcomes. Finally, it suggests four mechanisms through which regime interactions affect regime outputs and outcomes: desk-top, yo-yo, hands-in-hands and stowaway. These theoretical propositions suggest pathways for future research. At the empirical level the dissertation shows how the Carpathian Convention’s actors’ network evolved into a core-periphery network, with a small number of highly connected organizations and several loosely attached peripheral actors. It points to ambiguities in leadership and highlights activities core actors implement to strengthen social cohesion. With regards to regime interactions, the research finds that the Carpathian Convention connects to 39 other regimes and organizations, albeit through different mechanisms. The dissertation concludes that regional regimes, based on their unique characteristics can act as a stepping stone in the global environmental governance system and can enhance environmental change. |
| Supervisor | Antypas, Alexios |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy PhD |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2020/vetier_marta.pdf |
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