Environmental Politics:LatAmer

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

This course examines the politics of environmental governance in Latin America: why environmental problems arise, who shapes the rules that govern natural resources, and how effective different interventions are at addressing environmental degradation. We begin by asking why governing the environment is a political challenge, drawing on foundational frameworks around collective action, public goods, and the commons. We then examine the tension between economic development and environmental protection, and trace how political institutions, from executives and legislatures to subnational governments, shape environmental policymaking and implementation. The course explores the role of interest groups, electoral and distributive politics, and international agreements and supply chain governance in driving or constraining environmental outcomes. Thematic weeks address climate change and energy transitions, forest governance, property rights, and environmental justice. By the end of the course, students will be able to diagnose environmental problems, assess political and institutional constraints, and propose politically feasible solutions.