Explaining the United States Position Unchanged on Kyoto Protocol Under Obama Administration

Praise Ichthus Tampi, Titik Firawati

2015 | Skripsi | Ilmu Hubungan Internasional

ABSTRACT Climate change and politics are entangled and inseparable issues. The scientific evidence concerning climate change has increased and international efforts have been taken to handle the issue. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has launched the amendment that covers problems and resolution for countries to overcoming the climate change effects, it is called Kyoto Protocol. This Protocol has been agreed and ratified by numbers of countries. However, one of the biggest emitter states, United States does not seem to have intention in ratifying the Kyoto Protocol until now (the period of Obama Administration). Based on that issue, this undergraduate thesis would analyze the factors behind U.S decision on Kyoto Protocol ratification. In this manner, it would be focusing on Obama Administration, but the analysis would also depart from the historical data of U.S position on Kyoto Protocol from Clinton and Bush administration. Therefore, this undergraduate thesis focuses on the unchanged position of US to continuously strive against the Kyoto Protocol under the Obama Administration with the qualitative research and the application of “Two-level game” theory. In this research, the author examines the case from two-level of analysis, the international level and domestic level by reviewing from some determinants, such as: preferences and constituents in the U.S domestic politics, the involvement of nonstate actors, like industry groups and related institutions, and also the economic interests of U.S as the references in shaping the U.S position in the international negotiation. Besides, this undergraduate thesis would also argue that the preferences and political motivation from President Obama which is influenced by the Congress and thus, give any leverage to the U.S policy on Kyoto Protocol up to the year of 2014.

Kata Kunci : Politik Luar Negeri - Amerika Serikat