A psychological perspective on international environmental law

The current body of literature on law and psychology has largely overlooked the potential influence of psychology within the realm of international environmental law (IEL). This dissertation seeks to address this gap by integrating insights from international law and the psychology of environmental law to examine how states respond to transboundary environmental harms. The central argument asserts that incorporating psychological perspectives can significantly enhance our understanding of the decision-making process within IEL. This study proposes a theorical framework termed the "psychology of international environmental law," which highlights the unique psychological dynamics at play in IEL. Specifically, it focuses on how psychological factors that shape state officials’ decision-making regarding transboundary governance and environmental impacts. By applying this framework, it becomes possible to interrogate the underlying motivations guiding state actions related to treaty formation, negotiation processes, and adherence to legal obligations and commitments. This dissertation includes three case studies: the 1946 Whaling Convention, the negotiation of the WTO Environmental Goods Agreement, and Taiwan's unilateral compliance to climate legislation. These case studies illustrate the intricate interplay between psychology and IEL.

Name thesis:degree_name

J.S.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Law

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Li, Jyun-Syun (Howard)

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rowell, Arden
• Bilz, Kenworthey
• Heald, Paul
• van Zeben, Josephine

• International Environmental Law
• Law And Psychology
• International Law
• Psychology Of International Environmental Law

Statement dc:rights

• ⓒ 2024 by Jyun-Syun (Howard) Li

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/125611

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F125611