In modern societies, science and scientific knowledge are considered to have a deep impact on society even beyond technological progress or economic growth. Science in general and scientific knowledge in specific represent an all-embracing power. They not only fundamentally determine how we see the world. They also influence political decision-making by providing new insights and altering how we perceive what societal and political issues are or how to solve them. Morisse-Schilbach even states: "It seems that the use of expert knowledge and especially scientific knowledge is increasingly integral to the way political and societal actors perceive and deal with political, economic, and social issues, both on the domestic and global scale."
This paper will analyze the influence of knowledge on the creation of international institutions. Led by the question "How did Epistemic Communities facilitate the creation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?", the analysis starts with a brief introduction to epistemic communities. It will show how their work has an impact on political decision-making and how knowledge can cause demand for institutionalized cooperation. In particular, through the approach of weak cognitivism the following chapter provides theoretical background knowledge on how epistemic communities create institutions by providing knowledge and defining issues. Subsequent, the analysis continues with the development of "climate" to our modern understanding. The meaning of climate changed fundamentally through scientific findings and emphasized climate change as a global issue. In order to answer the research question, the knowledge of climate and ozone layer will be examined on its effect on the creation and expansion of referring institutions. Theoretically, pushed by knowledge, the perception of climate change as a global issue received broad attention by policy-makers. Rising perception eventually elevated "climate" to a global topic and caused need to act. Policymakers as well as referring epistemic communities cooperated globally and eventually created the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Epistemic Communities and the establishment of IPCC
2.1. Epistemic Communities and how they facilitate institutionalized cooperation
2.2. Creation of the issue-area "climate" and the need for international cooperation
2.3. Creation of the IPCC and its relation to climate scholarship
3. Conclusion
Research Objective and Focus
This paper explores the influence of scientific knowledge and epistemic communities on the emergence of international institutions, specifically examining how these groups facilitated the creation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) through the definition of climate change as a global issue.
- The theoretical role of epistemic communities in global governance.
- The transformation of "climate" from a meteorological condition into a global political issue.
- The causal mechanisms of policy innovation and diffusion within international organizations.
- The impact of scientific uncertainty and consensus on policymaker decision-making.
- The historical development of climate-related cooperation leading to the 1988 UN resolution.
Excerpt from the Book
2. Epistemic Communities and the establishment of IPCC
Epistemic Communities (E.C.) are crucial "channels through which new ideas circulate from societies to governments as well as from country to country"3. Scholars in International Relation find it hard to give an appropriate definition for these "communities" and certain questions about their specific structures, origins, and knowledge-accessibility remain unanswered. Regardless, the epistemic communities approach understands science as a political actor and problem solver in decision-making processes. Further they can be defined as a "network of professionals with recognized expertise and competence in a particular domain and an authoritative claim to policy-relevant knowledge within the domain or issue area." Members of E.C. are primarily connected to science and share a common ethos of science. Furthermore, they share a common base of proper strategies to resolve given tasks. To clarify what their meaning of science and knowledge is, the next chapter will seize this idea by introducing the E.C.’s main assumptions and transfer them to case related topics.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the research question regarding the role of epistemic communities in establishing the IPCC and outlines the theoretical framework of weak cognitivism.
2. Epistemic Communities and the establishment of IPCC: This section details how networks of experts influence political actors and provides the theoretical basis for institutionalized cooperation.
2.1. Epistemic Communities and how they facilitate institutionalized cooperation: This chapter analyzes the modes of operation for epistemic communities, specifically policy innovation and policy diffusion.
2.2. Creation of the issue-area "climate" and the need for international cooperation: The text describes the scientific paradigm shifts and technological advancements that elevated climate change to a global policy concern.
2.3. Creation of the IPCC and its relation to climate scholarship: This chapter documents the transition from early scientific studies to the formal institutionalization of the IPCC via UN resolution 43/53.
3. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the evidence, confirming that epistemic communities provided the essential knowledge and political momentum necessary for the creation of the IPCC.
Keywords
Epistemic Communities, IPCC, Climate Change, Global Governance, International Institutions, Weak Cognitivism, Policy Diffusion, Policy Innovation, Scientific Consensus, Environmental Policy, UN, Global Commons, Knowledge-based Power, Institutionalization, WMO.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper investigates the influence of epistemic communities—networks of scientific experts—on the formation of international institutions, with a specific focus on the creation of the IPCC.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The work covers International Relations theory, specifically constructivism, the sociology of scientific knowledge, global environmental governance, and the historical development of international climate policy.
What is the primary research question?
The research asks: "How did Epistemic Communities facilitate the creation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?"
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The study employs a qualitative, constructivist approach, utilizing the "epistemic communities" framework to analyze how shared knowledge and expert consensus drive institutional formation.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the theoretical background of epistemic communities, the historical evolution of climatology as a global issue, and the specific diplomatic processes that led to the IPCC's establishment.
How would you characterize this work through keywords?
The work is characterized by terms such as Epistemic Communities, International Institutions, Global Governance, Policy Diffusion, and Scientific Consensus.
How did scientific uncertainty influence the creation of the IPCC?
The paper argues that scientific uncertainty actually compelled policymakers to seek further expert consultation and institutionalized frameworks to manage complex, potentially disastrous environmental risks.
What role did UN resolution 43/53 play in this narrative?
The resolution is identified as the formal manifestation of scientific influence, officially recognizing the need for international coordination and establishing the IPCC as the primary scientific body for climate assessment.
- Quote paper
- André Will (Author), 2019, Epistemic Communities and the creation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/540060
