Why and How Climate Change Matters for Democratisation and Vise Versa

Why and how climate change matters for democratization and vice versa

Abstract

The relationship between democracy and democratization on the one side, and a changing climate and the policy responses to climate change on the other side, are complex.  They operate in both directions.  Each side matters for the other.  The effects can be direct and they can also operate indirectly through other, intervening relationships.  The reasons why each one matters for the other, how, and how far suggest mixed findings.  These are of concern both to democratization or the global prospects for democracy and the future of the earth's climate, while still leaving some important questions unanswered.

About the author

Peter Burnell is a Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick, England.  His main interests are the international politics of democratization, especially democracy promotion and the challenges that are posed by political and other trends in the international environment.  He was founding editor of the international journal Democratization, has written (or edited) around twenty books and forty five articles in refereed journals, and engages with many governmental and non-governmental actors in international democracy support, including NIMD. 

His more recent publications include the book Promoting Democracy Abroad: Policy and Performance (Transaction Publishers, US, 2011) and a special co-edited issue of Democratization (October 2012) titled 'Democracy, Democratization and Climate Change'.