Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Oran Young and international institutions

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Current understandings of global environmental governance owe much to the numerous theoretical, empirical, and methodological contributions of Oran Young. Over the course of 50 years, Young has created many of the theories and typologies we use to explain why international environmental institutions form and what types of effects they have and the conditions under which they have them. His contributions have been central to the development of the concepts of institutional dynamics, interplay, and scale. He has made major contributions to environmental policy globally and in the Arctic, both through his own work and by fostering the work of other scholars. This article summarizes the contributions Young has made to the field and introduces the articles in this special issue that honor those contributions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

ETS:

Emissions Testing Service

EU:

European Union

IDGEC:

Institutional Dimensions of Global Environmental Change

IHDP:

International Human Dimensions Programme

IRD:

International Regimes Database

NGO:

Non-governmental Organization

NSF:

National Science Foundation

References

  • Adger, W. N., Arnell, N. W., & Tompkins, E. (2005). Successful adaptation to climate change across scales. Global Environmental Change, 15(2), 77–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Breitmeier, H., Underdal, A., & Young, O. R. (2011). The effectiveness of international environmental regimes: Comparing and contrasting findings from quantitative research. International Studies Review, 13(4), 579–605.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Breitmeier, H., Young, O. R., & Zürn, M. (2006). Analyzing international environmental regimes: From case study to database. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown Weiss, E., & Jacobson, H. K. (Eds.). (1998). Engaging countries: Strengthening compliance with international environmental accords. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bulkeley, H. (2005). Reconfiguring environmental governance: Towards a politics of scales and networks. Political Geography, 24(8), 875–902.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cash, D. W. (2001). “In order to aid in diffusing useful and practical information… ”: cross-scale boundary organizations and agricultural extension. Science, Technology and Human Values, 26(4), 431–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cash, D. W., Adger, W. N., Berkes, F., Garden, P., Lebel, L., & Olsson, P., et al. (2006). Scale and cross-scale dynamics: Governance and information in a multilevel world. Ecology and Society, 11(2), Article 8.

  • Cash, D. W., & Moser, S. C. (2000). Linking global and local scales: Designing dynamic assessment and management processes. Global Environmental Change, 10(2), 109–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chayes, A., & Chayes, A. H. (1995). The new sovereignty: Compliance with international regulatory agreements. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frohlich, N., Oppenheimer, J. A., & Young, O. R. (1971). Political leadership and collective goods. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press.

  • Gehring, T. (1994). Dynamic international regimes: Institutions for international environmental governance. Frankfurt am Main: P. Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gehring, T., & Oberthür, S. (2008). Interplay: Exploring institutional interaction. In O. R. Young, L. A. King, & H. Schroeder (Eds.), Institutions and environmental change: Principal findings, applications, and research frontiers (pp. 187–224). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gulbrandsen, L. H. (2004). Overlapping public and private governance: Can forest certification fill the gaps in the global forest regime? Global Environmental Politics, 4(2), 75–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, J. (2008). Global change: Analyzing scale and scaling in environmental governance. In O. R. Young, L. A. King, & H. Schroeder (Eds.), Institutions and environmental change: Principal findings, applications, and research frontiers (pp. 225–258). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haas, P. M., Keohane, R. O., & Levy, M. A. (Eds.). (1993). Institutions for the earth: Sources of effective international environmental protection. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harsem, Ø., & Hoel, A. H. (2013). Climate change and adaptive capacity in fisheries management: The case of Norway. International Environmental Agreements, this issue.

  • Hovi, J., Sprinz, D. F., & Underdal, A. (2003a). The Oslo-Potsdam solution to measuring regime effectiveness: Critique, response, and the road ahead. Global Environmental Politics, 3(3), 74–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hovi, J., Sprinz, D. F., & Underdal, A. (2003b). Regime effectiveness and the Oslo-Potsdam solution: a rejoinder to Oran Young. Global Environmental Politics, 3(3), 105–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jinnah, S. (2010). Overlap management in the World Trade Organization: Secretariat influence on trade-environment politics. Global Environmental Politics, 11(2), 54–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keohane, R. O., & Levy, M. A. (Eds.). (1996). Institutions for environmental aid: Pitfalls and promise. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keohane, R. O., & Victor, D. G. (2011). The regime complex for climate change. Perspectives on Politics, 9(1), 7–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krasner, S. D. (1982). Structural causes and regime consequences: Regimes as intervening variables. International Organization, 36(1), 185–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levy, M. A., Young, O. R., & Zürn, M. (1995). The study of international regimes. European Journal of International Relations, 1(3), 267–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindblom, C. E., & Cohen, D. K. (1979). Usable knowledge: Social science and social problem solving. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadowcroft, J. (2002). Politics and scale: Some implications for environmental governance. Landscape and Urban Planning, 61(1), 169–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miles, E. L., Underdal, A., Andresen, S., Wettestad, J., Skjærseth, J. B., & Carlin, E. M. (Eds.). (2002). Environmental regime effectiveness: Confronting theory with evidence. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, R. B., Clark, W. C., Cash, D. W., & Dickson, N. (Eds.). (2006). Global environmental assessments: Information and influence. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oberthür, S., & Gehring, T. (Eds.). (2006). Institutional interaction in global environmental governance: Synergy and conflict among international and EU policies. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oberthür, S., & Stokke, O. S. (2011). Managing institutional complexity : Regime interplay and global environmental change (Institutional dimensions of global environmental change). Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osherenko, G., & Young, O. R. (1989). The age of the Arctic: Hot conflicts and cold realities. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raustiala, K., & Victor, D. G. (2004). The regime complex for plant genetic resources. International Organization, 58(2), 277–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rittberger, V., & Zürn, M. (1991). Regime theory: Findings from the study of East-West regimes. Cooperation and Conflict, 26(4), 165–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skjærseth, J. B. (2013). Governance by EU Emissions Trading (ETS): resistance or innovation in the oil industry. International Environmental Agreements, this issue.

  • Stokke, O. S. (Ed.). (2001). Governing high seas fisheries: The interplay of global and regional regimes. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokke, O. S. (2013). Regime interplay in Arctic shipping governance: Explaining regional niche selection. International Environmental Agreements, this issue.

  • Strange, S. (1983). Cave! hic dragones: A critique of regime analysis. In S. D. Krasner (Ed.), International regimes (pp. 337–354). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Underdal, A. (2002). One question, two answers. In E. L. Miles, A. Underdal, S. Andresen, J. Wettestad, J. B. Skjærseth, & E. M. Carlin (Eds.), Environmental regime effectiveness: Confronting theory with evidence (pp. 3–45). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Underdal, A. (2013). Meeting common environmental challenges: The co-evolution of policies and practices. International Environmental Agreements, this issue.

  • Underdal, A., & Young, O. R. (Eds.). (2004). Regime consequences: Methodological challenges and research strategies. Dordrecht: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Victor, D. G., Raustiala, K., & Skolnikoff, E. B. (Eds.). (1998). The implementation and effectiveness of international environmental commitments: Theory and practice. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster, D. G. (2009). Adaptive governance: The dynamics of Atlantic fisheries management. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1967). The intermediaries: Third parties in international crises. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1968a). Political discontinuities in the international system. World Politics, 20(3), 369–392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1968b). The politics of force: Bargaining during international crises. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1968c). Systems of political science (Foundations of modern political science series). Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1968d). The United Nations and the international system. International Organization, 22(4), 902–922.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1969). Interdependencies in world politics. International Journal, 24(4), 726–750.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1972a). Intermediaries: Additional thoughts on third parties. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 16(1), 5165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1972b). The perils of Odysseus: On constructing theories of international relations. World Politics, 24(Supplement), 179–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1975a). The analysis of bargaining: Problems and prospects. In O. R. Young (Ed.), Bargaining : Formal theories of negotiation (pp. 391–408). Urbana: University of Illinois Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1975b). Bargaining : Formal theories of negotiation. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1977). Resource management at the international level : The case of the North Pacific. New York: Pinter and Nichols.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1978a). Anarchy and social choice: Reflections on the international polity. World Politics, 30(2), 241–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1978b). On the performance of the international polity. British Journal of International Studies, 4(3), 191–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1979). Compliance and public authority : A theory with international applications. Baltimore: Published for Resources for the Future by the Johns Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1980). International regimes: Problems of concept formation. World Politics, 32(3), 331–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1981). Natural resources and the state : The political economy of resource management (Studies in international political economy). Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1982a). Regime dynamics: The rise and fall of international regimes. International Organization, 36(2), 277–297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1982b). Resource regimes : Natural resources and social institutions. Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1985/86). The age of the Arctic. Foreign Policy, 61, 160–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1986). International regimes: Toward a new theory of institutions (review of After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the World Political Economy by Robert O. Keohane; International Regimes by Stephen D. Krasner; and The Antinomies of Interdependence by John G. Ruggie). World Politics, 39(1), 104–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1989a). International cooperation : Building regimes for natural resources and the environment. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1989b). International cooperation: Building regimes for natural resources and the environment. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1989c). The politics of international regime formation: Managing natural resources and the environment. International Organization, 43(3), 349–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1989d). The power of institutions: why international regimes matter. In O. R. Young (Ed.), International cooperation: Building regimes for natural resources and the environment (pp. 58–80). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1991). Political leadership and regime formation: On the development of institutions in international society. International Organization, 45(3), 281–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1992a). Arctic politics : Conflict and cooperation in the circumpolar North. Hanover: University Press of New England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1992b). The effectiveness of international institutions: hard cases and critical variables. In J. N. Rosenau & E.-O. Czempiel (Eds.), Governance without government: Change and order in world politics (pp. 160–194). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1993). International organizations and international institutions: Lessons learned from environmental regimes. In S. Kamieniecki (Ed.), Environmental politics in the international arena (pp. 145–164). Albany: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1994a). International governance: Protecting the environment in a stateless society. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1994b). The problem of scale in human/environment relationships. Journal of Theoretical Politics, 6(4), 429–447.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1996). Institutional linkages in international society: Polar perspectives. Global Governance, 2(1), 1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (Ed.). (1997). Global governance: Drawing insights from the environmental experience. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1998). Creating regimes : Arctic accords and international governance. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (Ed.). (1999a). The effectiveness of international environmental regimes: Causal connections and behavioral mechanisms. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (1999b). Governance in world affairs. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (2001). The behavioral effects of environmental regimes: Collective-action vs. social-practice models. International Environmental Agreements, 1(1), 9–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (2002). The institutional dimensions of environmental change: Fit, interplay, and scale. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (2003). Determining regime effectiveness: A commentary on the Oslo-Potsdam solution. Global Environmental Politics, 3(3), 97–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (2006). Vertical interplay among scale-dependent environmental and resource regimes. Ecology and Society, 11(1), Article 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (2008a). Building regimes for socioecological systems: Institutional diagnostics. In O. R. Young, L. A. King, & H. Schroeder (Eds.), Institutions and environmental change: Principal findings, applications, and research frontiers (pp. 115–143). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (2008b). Institutional interplay : Biosafety and trade. Tokyo, Japan: United Nations University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (2010). Institutional dynamics : Emergent patterns in international environmental governance. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (2012). On environmental governance : Sustainability, efficiency, and equity (On politics). Boulder: Paradigm Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R. (2013). Sugaring off: enduring insights from long-term research on environmental governance. International Environmental Agreements, this issue.

  • Young, O. R., Demko, G. J., & Ramakrishna, K. (1996). Global environmental change and international governance. Hanover: University Press of New England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R., King, L. A., & Schroeder, H. (Eds.). (2008). Institutions and environmental change: Principal findings, applications, and research frontiers. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R., & Levy, M. A. (1999). The effectiveness of international environmental regimes. In O. R. Young (Ed.), The effectiveness of international environmental regimes: Causal connections and behavioral mechanisms (pp. 1–32). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R., & Osherenko, G. (Eds.). (1993a). Polar politics: Creating international environmental regimes. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R., & Osherenko, G. (1993b). Testing theories of regime formation: Findings from a large collaborative research project. In V. Rittberger (Ed.), Regime theory and international relations (pp. 223–251). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, O. R., & Zürn, M. (2006). The international regimes database: Designing and using a sophisticated tool for institutional analysis. Global Environmental Politics, 6(3), 121–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

I wish to thank Michele Betsill, Maria Gordon, Franklyn Griffiths, Joyeeta Gupta, Agni Kalfagianni, Leslie King, Gail Osherenko, Carmen Scherkenbach, Falk Schmidt, Heike Schroeder, and Arild Underdal for contributions to and comments on this article as it developed. Remaining errors remain the responsibility of the author.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Political Science and Program in Environmental Studies, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403-1284, USA

    Ronald B. Mitchell

Authors
  1. Ronald B. Mitchell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ronald B. Mitchell.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mitchell, R.B. Oran Young and international institutions. Int Environ Agreements 13, 1–14 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10784-012-9200-3

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10784-012-9200-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation