Distinguishing Between Institutional and Environmental Effectiveness in International Environmental Agreements

The Case of the Mediterranean Action Plan

Abstract

This article critiques regime-centric approaches to the study of the effectiveness of international environmental agreements and illustrates the argument with the example of the Mediterranean Action Plan. Traditional regime theoretic approaches are grounded in what Robert Cox calls problem-solving theory, taking existing analytical frameworks as the boundaries of academic investigation. This article adopts a critical, ecocentric approach that goes beyond conventional institutional approaches and introduces the notion of environmental rather than political benefit. Such analysis demonstrates that the Mediterranean Action Plan may be a political success but that this political achievement is not complemented by environmental improvement.