Denunciation of Treaty in International Politics: A Critical Analysis of US’ Renunciation from the Paris Climate Change Agreement

Abstract

Since the wake of the Westphalia Peace (or Treaty) in 1648, the idea of treaty has become handy and instrumental to the conditioning of the globe and maintenance of peace in the international arena. One of such treaties is the Paris Climate Agreement entered by states to forestall global warming and other climatic issues. It is however, problematic to note that states now willingly opt out of agreements entered in the international arena. This study sets out to interrogate why states denounce treaties, focusing on President Donald Trump’s choice to pull US out of Paris Climate Agreement. The study is anchored on the theory of Rational Actor Model, causal research design, documentary method of data collection, and content analytical method of data inquiry and analysis. The study argued that the concern of reduced economic competitiveness, conditional commitments, and nationalistic thinking are to be considered as US reasons for Paris Climate Treaty denunciation. The study deciphered that US’ choice to pull out of the Paris Climate agreement under Donald Trump’s presidency is not unconnected to Trump’s rationalistic choice or idea to put US first and make her great through nationalistic economic policies devoid of global influences, and global economic bazar, which he saw as wasteful venture. The study recommended that humanity needs all hands (states) on deck to combat the common enemy of global warming occasioned by climate change. Hence, the treaty through a more accommodating and friendly protocol should be sustained by all parties.