Link to article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/13/nations-convene-in-kenya-to-hammer-out-treaty-on-plastic-pollution
Earlier this month, several nations gathered in Kenya to discuss the increasingly pressing issue of plastic pollution. Their goal, set in March of this year, has been to form a treaty to fight against plastic pollution across the globe before the transition into 2024. However, they have been unable to reach a consensus as of yet. Countries like Kenya argued in support of regulating and reforming the production, consumption, and life cycle of plastic. However, other countries are hesitant to tamper with production and would prefer to take the more limited approach of waste management.
One country that rejected the idea of attacking plastic at the source was Saudi Arabia. This is because the Saudi economy relies heavily on plastic and petrochemical production. Consequently, they are not willing to sacrifice their prosperity. Should we continue to live on without reassessing plastic production, the environment could suffer severe effects. However, if the economies of particular countries are damaged, the citizens of those places would certainly feel the effects. Thus, it is difficult for these nations to come to a conclusion for a treaty.
In class, we have discussed constructivism. According to constructivist theory, states act as they do because of their specific values and identities. This situation exemplifies that idea, as Saudi Arabia is acting to protect its economy. Saudi Arabia is known globally for its plastic and oil production, that is an example of an identity. Surely, the Saudis value the jobs and economic stability provided to them by the plastic and oil industries, so that is an example of a specific value.