Brief overview of the book

The impact of large multinational cooperation on the envirement has become a contentious
issues in recent years, many on an individual and national scale have become increasingly
concerned about the negative enviremental consequence brought about by unrestricted
capitalism. In "Will Big Business Destroy the Planet?" Dauverson provide a though provoking
analysis of this relantionship., Dauvergne argues that the actions of big business are
endangering the environment and that a fundamental shift is necessary in the way we
think about business and the environment. While Dauvergne's arguments are well-
supported, it is important to consider the broader structural factors and power
imbalances that contribute to the problem of big business and the environment, as
emphasized by the critical tradition of IPE. In this essay, I will review and assess
Dauvergne's book by analyzing the main arguments of the author and assessing them in
the context of the critical tradition of International Political Economy (IPE).

presents a critical analysis of the role of large multinational corporations in enviremental

degradation, highlighting the negative consequence of unregulated corporate behavior on the
planete. Via his argument he is able to

emphasize the need for global governance mechanism in order to ensure the accountability of
these big business for their action to promote sustainable pratice

In will big business destroys are planet dauvergne argues that the behavior of large corposation
is a big driver of enviremental degradation and that the current mechanism for regulating their
behavior is inneficient . he state that global capitalism is inherently at off with enviremental
sustainability as the capitalistic nature of multination corporation inherently prioritizes profit
over enviremental concerns. Furthermore dauvergne argues that the power and influence of
these agent on the international political economy means that their actions are largely
unchecked and are not likely to alter without significant reforms to ecisting economic system

What I Will talk about in this essay

In this essay I will examine the main arguments made by the author and access then in light of
the major themes covered in the course. More specificatly I will situate dauvegne within the
critical tradition of international political economy (IPE) as well as explore how his idas update
and expand upon this tradition.

What is argued in this essay

The essay will argue that dauvergnes book presents a compelling but somewhat limited case for
the need to rething the role of corporation in society and the economy and emphasize the
importance of systemic change to addess enviremental challenges
What is IPE

The critical tradition of IPE is characterized by its focus on power,inequality and social justin
within the international economic system, it is a theoretival perpective that aims to understand
and challenge the existing power and domination within the international economy. This
scholars of this firls are conserned with the negative impact of capitalist development ranging
from enviremental degradation social inequality and the concentration of power in the hands of
a few large transnational corporation

IPE is a critical traditions that aims to examine the relationship between politics and economics
on an international scale, emohasizing the power dyname between different actors and
highlighting the means in which the economic systems influences and shapes political
outcome . Scholars throughout the field aim to interrogate the assumption and theories that
underpin mainstream economic though in order to provide alternative perspective that
challenge the status quo. Dauvegne book is firmly situated within this tradition and offers a
scathing critique of the power dynamics that underpin global capitalism and the ways in which
multinational corporation have exploitated the envirement while seeking maximum profit

Thesis statement

Dauvergne book shed lights on three key argument; the role of corporations in enviremental
degration, a critique of international institutions and envirement agreement and the need for
systemic change . throughout the book dauvergne provide a critical perpective on the
relationship encompensing global capitalism and the envirement, all of which demonstrate the
need for a more democratic and participatory system of enviremental governance.

By situating his analysis within the theoretical tradition of IPE davergne books provide a
valuable but somewhat limited contribution to the ongoing debate on how to address
enviremental challenges in the context of globalization

The purpose of this essay is to review and assess Peter Dauvergne’s book, "Will Big
Business Destroy the Planet?" by analyzing the main arguments of the author and
assessing them in the context of the critical tradition of International Political Economy
(IPE). Dauvergne argues that the actions of big business are endangering the
environment and that a fundamental shift is necessary in the way we think about
business and the environment. While Dauvergne's arguments are well-supported, it is
important to consider the broader structural factors and power imbalances that
contribute to the problem of big business and the environment, as emphasized by the
critical tradition of IPE. This essay will analyze Dauvergne's arguments and assess their
strengths and limitations in light of the critical tradition of IPE.

Corporate power and enviremental degradation

Dauvergne provide an analysis of the role of transnational corporation in enviremental

degration .

Dauvergne also introduces the concept of "planetary boundaries," which refers to the
limits of the Earth's natural systems and resources. He argues that many corporations
are currently operating beyond these boundaries, leading to a range of environmental
problems including climate change, deforestation, and ocean acidification

His first main argument is that .

he highlight the negative consequences of unregulated corporate behavior on our envirement ,

such as significant amount of pollution deforestation and habitat he state that the
conttemporate international economic system is dominated by these agens, and is fuelled by a
search for profit maximization and growth at the detriment of the envirement he believes this
system created a universe where the natural envirement is viewed as a commodity that is
exploited for economic gain which has resulted in many devastating economic impact such as
deforestation pollution and climate change

highliting the negative consequence of unregulated corporate behavior on the planet, H

Dauvergne critical approach to IPE is evident throughout the book as he challenges the
assumption of tradition IPE theories that deem the state the primary actors in the international
economy. Instead In his book, Dauvergne argues that corporation have historicaly evolved and
they influence dramatically increase leading them to become the most powerful actors in the
global economy. via the tremendence influence they have over goverments , international
institutions as well as civil society organization. The author argus that corporation have
become the dominant force in shapping global economic policy and enviremental outcomes.

corporations are the most dynamic, the most globally connected, the most lucrative, and the most
effective agents in the global economy" (Dauvergne, 2008, p. 6).

Philip McMichael have argued, "the global economy is not a neutral playing field where actors
compete on equal terms, but rather a contested terrain marked by fundamental power
asymmetries" (McMichael, 2016).
 Dauvergnes argues that this disproportionate power and influence has significantly contributed
to enviremental degradation he notes that : " As economic globalization has accelerated,
corporations have become the most powerful actors in the global economy, wielding immense
influence over governments, international institutions, and civil society organizations"
(Dauvergne, 2018, p. 1).
And attribute their large impact on the envirement to their economic power, political influence
and ability to shape policy outcomes

As economic globalization has accelerated, corporations have become the most powerful actors
in the global economy, wielding immense influence over governments, international
institutions, and civil society organizations" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 1).

Hebelieves that the current global economic system is set up in a way that prioritizes profit over
sustainably and consequencely enables these corporation to engage in envirementaly
destructive pratices in pursuit of profits at the expense of local communities and ecosystem .
He Higlights the pervasive incentives that this might cause by stating that "the goal of
corporations is to maximize shareholder value, not to protect the environment or promote
sustainable development" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 21). Morevor, corporation posses significant
influence on policy making which allows them to shape regulations and policies in their favor.
Dauvergne argues that "corporations are the key architects of their own regulations, policies,
and standards" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 29). He further argues that corporation are able to avoid
accountability for their actions through complex legal and financial structure that shield them
scrutiny

"Corporations have enormous power in the global economy, which they use to shape
environmental policy in their favor. They often engage in environmentally destructive practices,
and are able to evade accountability for their actions through complex legal and financial
structures that shield them from scrutiny" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 32).

Dauvergne argues that unrestricted cooperate behavior poses a enviremental risk including
climate change biodiversity looss and polution
In light of this, the envirement has become a major arena of corporate competition, and
corporation are constantly trying to find new way to exploit and profit ftom natural ressources.
He notes that corporation have the ability to shift their production toward contries having
lower enviremental and social standard and in consequence externalize the the often
undervalued cost of their activities onto worker communies and ecosystem in those countries
leading to the exploitation of natural ressources and contributing to the degradation of loval
ecosystem he writes

"corporations are not interested in preserving the planet's ecological health, but in maximizing
their profits" (Dauvergne, 2008, p. 7).
"Companies that operate in the global economy are attracted to environmental and social
conditions that enable them to keep costs low, profits high, and their customers happy. They
typically locate their production facilities in countries where governments are weak and can be
easily manipulated to accommodate business needs. They search for cheap labor, lax
environmental and social regulations, and plentiful natural resources, and they take advantage
of any loopholes or weaknesses in existing laws and institutions" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 23).
He notes that corporation have the ability to shift their production toward contries having
lower enviremental and social standard and in consequence externalize the the often
undervalued cost of their activities onto worker communies and ecosystem in those countries
leading to the exploitation of natural ressources and contributing to the degradation of loval
ecosystem he writes

Aditionaly corporations often participate in what he calls “greenwashing” in which they will use
marketing and public relations strategie to create a façade of enviremental responsibility as a
means to maintain their social license to operate and avoird regulatory scruntiny. These
pratices create a false sense of security for consumer who can belive they are making
envirementaly responsible choices even when this is not the case

"The purpose of greenwashing is to create the impression that the company is doing something
about the environment, even if it is not. This can help to maintain the company's social license
to operate and fend off criticism and regulatory scrutiny. It can also help to enhance the
company's reputation and brand image" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 41).

However, Dauvergne also highlights the limitations of corporate environmentalism, such as the focus
on incremental improvements rather than systemic change and the potential for greenwashing. He
writes

He argues that the focus on corporate social responsibility and voluntary initiative is not
sufficient as it fails to address the systemic issues underlying enviremental degration. He notes
that many of these initiative are superficial and fail to challenge underlying power structure
that enables corporation to engage in envirementaly degrading pratices (Dauvergne, 2018, p.
43).

Corporate social responsibility and voluntary initiatives are not enough to address the systemic
issues underlying environmental degradation. These initiatives are often superficial and do not
challenge the underlying power structures that enable corporations to engage in
environmentally harmful activities" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 43).
Dauvergne begins the chapter by examining the rise of market-based
instruments such as carbon markets, which aim to put a price on carbon emissions and
create financial incentives for companies to reduce their carbon footprint. However, he
argues that these instruments have been largely ineffective, with carbon prices often too
low to create meaningful change and companies engaging in offsetting practices rather
than actual emissions reductions.
He argues that markets should be seen as a complement to, rather than a substitute for,
regulation.
; enviremental consequence +power imbalance
Situation within critical IPE

The critical tradition of IPE emerged as a response to the dominant neoliberal perspective that
deem market the most effivient mechanism for the allocation of scarce ressources and creating
wealth.
emphasizes the importance of analyzing power relations and institutional framework in
shapping economic outcomes as well as highlight the need for a more equitable and sustainable
economic practice. This approach seeks to identify the causes and consequences of such
imbalance and propose alternative to the dominant economic model

according to Bromley 2016 the critical approach is necessary because it recognizes that power
relations are not just an outcome of the global economy, but a fundamental aspect of it

This arguments can be situated within the critical tradition which emphasizes power dynamics
and inequalities inherent in the global economic system ,the authors analysis of the role of
corporations in enviremental degration is fully grounded in a critical understanding of the
relantionship between economic power and influence. He argues that corporation wield
significant power and influence over the political process and that this power is utilized to
advance their self serving interest at the expence of the envirement and is therefor
unsustainable and a threat to the envirement

Business has been a significant obstacle to environmental progress, as companies have used
their financial and political power to resist regulation, delay action, and protect their vested
interests” (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 4).

By identifying said power imbalance between stakeholder and corporation and highlighting
need for altenative economic practice he stays true to the critical tradition of IPE

Business is both the cause and the cure for global environmental problems. It creates
environmental problems by promoting and profiting from the unsustainable exploitation of
resources and the pollution of ecosystems, and it can cure those problems by innovating and
investing in new technologies, products, and production processes that reduce environmental
harm” (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 1).

This quotation highlight the central argument of. The book which state that they corperation
have a significant impact on the envirement both positive and negative he state that
corperation have the available resource and expertise to innovate and invest in sustainable
practice but also a history of promoting unsustainable harmful pratices
 Dauvergnes argument that the current global economic system is structured in a way that
prioritized corporate interest over enviremental concerns is consistent with the critical tradition
emphasis on the way that power relantionship have a decisive influence on economic outcome

Furthermore, dauvergnes analysis build on and updates the critical tradition by highlighting the
role of transnational corporation in global governance while many earlier scholars focus on the
role of state in the economy dauvergne work highlights the increasing power of non state
actors such as corporations in shaping economic and enviremental outcomes this is an
important add to the critical tradition as it prohive a more comple picture and understanding of
the present day economy

He argues that the environmental costs of corporate activity are often externalized onto
society, and that corporations are rarely held accountable for these costs. This highlights
the power asymmetries that exist between corporations and society, and the need for
regulatory mechanisms to ensure that corporations are held accountable for their
environmental impact.

For example, Dauvergne cites the case of the Brent Spar oil platform in the North Sea,
where Royal Dutch/Shell attempted to dispose of the platform by sinking it in the ocean.
This decision was met with widespread public opposition, and ultimately led to a change
in Shell's disposal practices. This case illustrates the power of civil society to challenge
corporate decisions and hold

He atributes the rise of corporate power to the neoliberal policies of deregulation and
privatization, which have allowed corporations to operate with greater freedom and
flexibility.

Dauvergne provides examples of how corporations have successfully lobbied governments and
international organizations to adopt policies that benefit their bottom line, often at the expense
of environmental and social protections. He notes how corporations have been able to
influence global trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
which has enabled corporations to challenge and undermine environmental regulations.

Institutional failures in global enviremental governance

Dauvergnes second argument is that current mechanism for regulating corporate behabior are
insufficient he state that many of the current regulation are dependent on voluntary
participation or are poorly enforce and that corporation often find ways to circumvent or
undermine them
He writes, "Regulations can be highly effective, but they are also highly political, and corporations
often use their power and influence to shape regulatory outcomes in their favor" (Dauvergne, 2018,
p. 43).

Another important argument made by is the need for global governance mechanism to ensure
that accountability for actions of corporation may be held and to support sustainable practice.
He emphasizes the importance of international environmental agreements and regulations, such as
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Additionaly

dauvergnes works offers a critique of international institutions and enviremental agreements,

he refute their effectiveness by arguing that they often do not help address enviremental
challenges and are coopted by corporate interest. . He argues that the current institutional
framework, which privileges the interests of corporations over those of other stakeholders, is a major
obstacle to environmental progress He supports his view by stating that international agreement
such as the paris agreement are fully dependent on voluntary compliance and lack the power to
enforce their provisions . also corporation often will make use of their influence and power to
alter the negotiation and outcome of international enviremental agreement which leads to
weakend provisions and innefective agreement

Voluntary initiatives and industry-led programs have little effect on the large-scale,
systemic problems that the environment faces. The world needs legally binding,
enforceable agreements that hold corporations accountable for their environmental
impacts" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 102).

According to the author, international organizations such as the World Trade

Organization and the International Monetary Fund have been ineffective in regulating
corporate behavior and have instead contributed to the expansion of free trade policies
that benefit corporations at the expense of the environment.

Dauvergne argues that without strong global governance mechanisms, corporations will continue to
prioritize profits over environmental concerns, leading to further environmental degradation. He
states, "If the current system of unregulated corporate power and the absence of global
environmental governance continue, the future of the planet looks grim" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 198).

focuses on the relationship between multinational corporations and the state,

specifically the ways in which states both regulate and cooperate with corporations.
Dauvergne argues that while the state has the power to regulate corporations, in
practice, it often fails to do so adequately due to the influence of corporate interests on
the political system. At the same time, states also work with corporations through
various partnerships and agreements, which can lead to a conflict of interest when it
comes to protecting the environment.
Situation in IPE

Dauvergne also highlight the power imbalance that exist between corporation and other
stakeholders such as civil society groups and government .In so he highlight the
importance of analyzing institutional framework in shapping economic outcome , by
highlighting the failures of the current system who privileges the interest of large
multination cooperation over those of other stateholders as a large hamper on any
enviremental progress

He argues that corporations wield significant influence over the political process through their
financial resources, lobbying efforts, and the revolving door between corporate and
government positions. Dauvergne writes:
“Corporations have a disproportionate influence over politics and public policy, and this
influence has increased over the past few decades as corporations have become more
globalized, more interconnected, and more powerful” (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 13).
This quotation highlight both the power relation and institutional framworks importance
in shapping economic outcome

“Globalization and the liberalization of trade and investment have increased the power and influence
of multinational corporations and undermined the regulatory capacity of governments. This has
made it more difficult to implement effective environmental policies and to hold corporations
accountable for their environmental impacts” (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 7).

Other scholars in the critical tradition of IPE have also highlighted the importance of
analyzing power relations and institutional frameworks. For example, Susan Strange
(1988) argues that the global economy is characterized by a fundamental power
imbalance between those who control finance and those who do not. She emphasizes
the need for more democratic control over the global economy, and she proposes a
variety of mechanisms for achieving this goal.

The Great Environmental Sell-Off" and discusses the increasing trend of environmental
services being provided by the private sector. Dauvergne argues that the shift towards
market-based solutions for environmental problems has largely been driven by
neoliberal economic policies and the belief that markets are more efficient than
government regulation. However, he questions whether these market-based solutions
are actually effective in addressing environmental problems or if they simply serve to
enrich corporations and maintain the status quo.
Dauvergne argues that the privatization of environmental services has led to a
commodification of nature, where environmental goods and services are bought and
sold in the marketplace. He states that this has resulted in a loss of environmental values
and a focus on economic profits instead. Dauvergne notes that this trend is not limited
to developed countries, as developing countries are also being encouraged to adopt
market-based environmental policies through aid and loan conditions.

Dauvergne connects the privatization of environmental services to the critical tradition

of IPE by questioning the underlying assumptions and power structures of neoliberal
economic policies. He argues that the focus on market-based solutions ignores the
social and political dimensions of environmental problems and reinforces the power of
corporations in shaping environmental policy. He states:

"Privatization is not a neutral process that optimizes economic efficiency, but one that
involves conflicts over social and environmental values and the distribution of power in
society" (Dauvergne, p. 105).

Dauvergne also highlights the role of international institutions such as the World Bank
and the International Monetary Fund in promoting neoliberal policies and encouraging
the privatization of environmental services in developing countries. He argues that these
institutions often prioritize the interests of corporations and wealthy nations over the
needs of local communities and the environment.

In Chapter 4 of "Will Big Business Destroy the Planet?" highlights the negative
consequences of the privatization of environmental services and raises important
questions about the effectiveness of market-based solutions to environmental
problems. Dauvergne's analysis is situated within the critical tradition of IPE by
challenging the underlying assumptions and power structures of neoliberal economic
policies and questioning the role of international institutions in promoting these
policies.

Argument 3: the need for systemic change

Dauvergne third argument is that the asymetrie in power and influence of transnational
corporation in IPE make that their actions are in the main part unchecked. He highlight
the multiple ressources that they possess including lobbying power and financial
influence that they use to protect their interest and prevent meaningfull reform
In addition to critiquing the current global economic system and international
institution, Dauvergne highlight the need for systematic change in the way that we
govern and regulate corporation as a solution to enviremental degradation. The author
argues that fundamental changes to the economic system and the relantionship
between corporation and the envirement are crucial in order to address the root cause
of enviremental problems.
He notes that traditional forms of regulation, such as
government legislation and industry self-regulation, have not been effective in curbing
environmental degradation by corporations.
We need to fundamentally rethink the role of corporations in society and the economy,
and create new systems of governance that prioritize the environment and social well-
being over profits" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 168).
Dauverne belives that the need for global governance mechanism to regulate corporate
behavior and promote sustainable practice is crucial. He state that the current system of
voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative is not sufficient and that there is
a crucial need for mandatory regulation Dauvergne writes, "regulatory mechanisms should be
enforced through international agreements, legal frameworks, and sanctions" (Dauvergne, 2008, p.
188).

A major component of dauvergne vision of systematic change is a movement toward a

more sustainable economc system one that prioritises enviremental and social well
being instead of profits

Dauvergne notes that "we need to move beyond GDP growth as the sole indicator of
economic progress, and develop new indicators that reflect the social and
environmental costs of economic activity" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 174).

He state that corporation should be held accountable for their enviremental impact and
that regulation and policies need to be implemented to ensure that they operate in a
sustainable matter
He state that current enviremental laws and regulations are inadequate as they fail to
address the complex and interconnected nature of enviremental problems . He calls for
a more democratic and participatory system of enviremental governance that includes
civil society organizations local communities and marginalised groups have a greater
say in the decision making process

"Environmental governance must be reconfigured to enable participation and

deliberation by the public, civil society, and communities affected by corporate activities.
This requires a rethinking of the role of the state, a reorientation of international
institutions, and the empowerment of citizens and social movements" (Dauvergne, 2018,
p. 196).
He argues that a combination of state and non-state actors is needed to regulate and monitor the
actions of corporations globally. This includes international institutions such as the United Nations
and the World Trade Organization, as well as civil society organizations and grassroots movements.

Dauvergne acknowledges the challenges of implementing effective global governance mechanisms,

particularly in the face of opposition from powerful corporations and states. However, he argues that
a concerted effort from various actors can lead to more effective global regulation and ultimately
mitigate the negative impacts of multinational corporations on the planet.

Situation in IPE
Dauvergne state that current governance mechanism are not able to hold corporations
accountable for their action leading to the need for a new international governance
gramework

This means that they can operate in ways that are harmful to the environment without
facing significant opposition. The global economic system itself is designed to prioritize
the interests of corporations over those of individuals or the environment. This is
reflected in the emphasis on deregulation and free trade, which often have negative
environmental consequences. As Dauvergne notes, "The power of corporations often
eclipses the power of environmentalists, indigenous peoples, and social activists who are
trying to protect nature, human rights, and public health." (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 89)

Dauvergne call for systematic change aligns with the critical tradition of IPE as it
emphasizes the need for fundamental change to address the power dynamics and
inequalities inherent in today global capitalistic economy.Also dauvergne call for a more
sustainable economic system is in line with the ecological tradition of IPE that
emphasize the importance of the envirement in economic analysis ad advocate for a
more sustainable and equitable system Dauvergne's argument that we need to move
beyond GDP growth as the sole indicator of economic progress and develop new
indicators that reflect the social and environmental costs of economic activity is
consistent with this tradition. He argues that civil society plays a crucial role in the
creation of the pressure needed to exuburate a change in the behavior of cooperation
and goverments. Civil society movement as a driver for change aligns with the critical
tradition emphasis on social movement as agents of change
As scholars such as Tariq Banuri have argued, "social movements and non-governmental
organizations are an important source of pressure for change, demanding greater accountability
from governments and corporations" (Banuri, 2002).

As scholar Robbie Shilliam writes, "critical IPE scholars aim to expose the hidden power structures
that govern the world economy and to promote alternative policies and practices that benefit
marginalized communities" (Shilliam, 2018, p. 4).

Chapter 5 of Peter Dauvergne's "Will Big Business Destroy the Planet?" is titled "Global
Governance and the Future of the Planet" and it discusses the need for global
governance mechanisms to hold corporations accountable for their actions and
promote sustainable practices.

Dauvergne argues that global governance mechanisms are necessary because of the
limitations of national governance systems in addressing environmental issues. He
points out that corporations are able to move their operations to countries with weaker
regulations, and this undermines efforts to regulate their behavior. Dauvergne suggests
that global governance mechanisms such as international treaties and institutions can
provide a framework for addressing these issues and promoting sustainable practices.

Dauvergne also highlights the importance of civil society in advocating for and shaping
global governance mechanisms. He notes that civil society organizations have played a
critical role in raising awareness about environmental issues and putting pressure on
corporations and governments to take action. Dauvergne emphasizes that civil society
organizations must continue to play a key role in shaping global governance
mechanisms in order to ensure that they are effective in promoting sustainable
practices.

In relation to the critical tradition of IPE, Dauvergne's argument emphasizes the need for
global governance mechanisms to address the negative impacts of multinational
corporations on the environment. The critical tradition of IPE highlights the power
dynamics and inequalities in the global political economy, and Dauvergne's analysis of
the limitations of national governance systems in regulating corporate behavior
underscores this point. Furthermore, Dauvergne's recognition of the role of civil society
organizations in shaping global governance mechanisms aligns with the critical
tradition's emphasis on the agency of non-state actors in shaping the global political
economy. Overall, Dauvergne's argument in chapter 5 highlights the importance of the
critical tradition's emphasis on power dynamics and the role of non-state actors in
addressing environmental issues in the global political economy.
One specific example Dauvergne uses to illustrate the potential of global governance
mechanisms is the 1987 Montreal Protocol, an international treaty aimed at reducing
emissions of ozone-depleting substances. He notes that the protocol has been
successful in reducing the production and consumption of these substances, and argues
that it provides a model for how international cooperation can address environmental
issues. Dauvergne writes:

"The Montreal Protocol has achieved a remarkable level of success in reducing the
production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances...the protocol
demonstrates that it is possible to achieve international cooperation on environmental
issues and to negotiate effective global governance mechanisms to address them."
(Dauvergne, 2018, p. 147)
focuses on the role of global civil society in environmental governance and the
challenges that it faces in holding corporations accountable for their actions. Dauvergne
argues that global civil society has the potential to promote greater corporate
accountability and more sustainable practices, but it faces several obstacles in doing so.

Dauvergne begins by defining global civil society as "the realm of voluntary associations,
social movements, and non-governmental organizations that operate across national
boundaries" (p. 152). He notes that global civil society has played an increasingly
important role in environmental governance in recent years, but its effectiveness in
holding corporations accountable for their environmental impact has been limited. One
reason for this is that corporations often have more resources and greater access to
decision-making processes than civil society organizations.

Dauvergne also discusses the challenges that civil society faces in coordinating their
efforts across different countries and regions, as well as the difficulties in maintaining
their independence from corporate influence. He argues that civil society organizations
must be transparent about their funding sources and avoid any potential conflicts of
interest in order to maintain their legitimacy and credibility.

Furthermore, Dauvergne highlights the importance of building partnerships and

alliances between civil society organizations and other actors in the environmental
governance arena, such as governments and corporations. He notes that such
partnerships can be effective in promoting more sustainable practices and holding
corporations accountable for their actions.

Overall, Dauvergne's arguments in this chapter align with the critical tradition of IPE by
highlighting the power dynamics between corporations and civil society organizations
and the need for greater global governance mechanisms to promote sustainability and
corporate accountability. As he notes, "global civil society needs support from
governments and international organizations to make corporations more accountable
and sustainable" (p. 175). By emphasizing the importance of building partnerships and
alliances between different actors, Dauvergne also aligns with the critical tradition's
emphasis on collaboration and cooperation in achieving social and environmental
justice.

Conclusion

Overall Dauvergne book provide a compelling argument for the need to address the
role of big business in enviremental degradation and the limitations of international
institutions and enviremental agreement in addressing the negative impact of such.. The
authors analysis of the power dynamics that shape the outcome as well as evident
institutional failure that worsen the climate problem is both insightsull charamatic and
pursuasive.By situating his analysis within the critical tradition of IPE he succed in
offering a critical perpective on the relationship between global capitalism and the
envirement ,

n terms of its relevance to IPE, Dauvergne's analysis highlights the ways in which
economic power can be used to shape environmental outcomes. However, his focus on
the actions of individual corporations risks obscuring the broader economic and political
structures that contribute to environmental degradation. As he notes, "it is important to
recognize that the causes of environmental destruction are often structural and
systemic, rooted in the ways in which economic, political, and social systems are
organized and function" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 212). Additionally, his discussion of the
potential for governments, NGOs, and consumers to exert pressure on corporations to
change their practices overlooks the structural constraints that limit the effectiveness of
these actors.

However while dauvergne arguments are compeling his book remains limited due to his
heavy reliance on anecdoctal evidence and failure to provide pratical solution. in many
regards. One major weakness is his heavy reliance on anecdotal evidence . his story
despite having quite an influencial impact fail to potray a complete non bias
comprehensive or representative picture of corporta behabior As he himself notes,
"Stories, however moving or convincing, can distort as well as clarify" (p. 5
Take for ecample one of the key solution the author present is greater regulation he
argues that the government must expand its role in regulating cor[prate behavior and
ensuring the accountability of their pratives. However the author fails to provide a
detailed plan on hoe to achieve the implementation and enforcement of such regulation
despite the influence of corporate agents He notes that "the road to greater corporate
accountability is long and hard, with many obstacles to overcome" (p. 197), but does not
offer specific suggestions for how to overcome these obstacles.

While dauvergne correctly idddentifies the action of individual corporation as a

significant factor in enviremental degradation his argument fail to highlight the larger
political and economic structures that enable and facilitate these action. The highly
monopolistic distribution of power toward a few large corporation is not an inherent or
inevetible outcome of market forces but in the contrary a consequence of a serie of
political and economic decision that have tben made hrough time often with the
agenda of promoting the interest of the rich and powerfuls over the needs of society
and welfare of the envirement

"The fundamental problem we face today is not merely one of corporate social
responsibility, nor is it one of the collective failure of individuals to act on their ethical
convictions. Rather, it is a problem of political economy – one that arises from the
concentration of power in the hands of a few large corporations and the way in which
this power is exercised to pursue profit at the expense of environmental sustainability
and social justice." (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 4)

One of his major weakness of the book is daucergne over reliance on technology as a
solution to enviremental destruction by corporation he argues that technological
progress and innovation such as carbon capture and storage, renewable energy, and sustainable
agriculture will mitigate the enviremental impact of corporation however such optimism ignore the
root cause of economic degration despite such root being implicitly stated all throughout his book
which is profit maximization and regulatory failure. Also he fails to aknowlege that technological
solution may increase the power insymetrie and further shift the balance toward corporation which
would impede its ability to address socuak abd economic impact of enviremental destruction.

For example, environmental scholar Tania Murray Li argues that "technological fixes can offer
palliative solutions to environmental problems without addressing the underlying social and political
dynamics that produce them" (Li, 2019)
Moreover, his emphasis on creating new institutions to address the problem may not be sufficient, as
it fails to address the underlying power imbalances that allow big business to operate with impunity.
Even if new regulations or institutions are put in place, they may not be effective if the
larger political and economic structures that enable corporate power remain intact.
Another weakness of the book is the limited analysis of political and economic system that underly
the envirementaly harmfull pratices that multinational corporation take part in, The book focus
largely on corporate behavior and regulation without fully ecploring the political and economic
factors that shape corporate behavior and drive environmental destruction. For ecample

As Dauvergne himself notes, "The fundamental problem we face today is not merely one
of corporate social responsibility, nor is it one of the collective failure of individuals to
act on their ethical convictions. Rather, it is a problem of political economy – one that
arises from the concentration of power in the hands of a few large corporations and the
way in which this power is exercised to pursue profit at the expense of environmental
sustainability and social justice" (Dauvergne, 2018, p. 4).
The challenge of globalization, then, is to craft ways to manage the world economy that make it
easier for multinational corporations to act responsibly." (p. 163)
This statement implies that the world economy is inherently structured in a way that makes it difficult
for corporations to act responsibly, but does not fully explore the underlying political and economic
systems that enable this behavior in the first place

In fact, some scholars argue that the creation of new institutions can actually reinforce
these power imbalances by legitimizing the authority of powerful actors to set the rules
of the game.

A more comprehensive analysis of the problem of corporate environmental destruction

requires a critical examination of the political and economic systems that enable and
facilitate corporate power. This includes an analysis of the role of governments,
international institutions, and other actors in shaping global economic relations in ways
that prioritize the interests of the wealthy and powerful over the needs of society and
the environment.

Furthermore, it requires the development of strategies to challenge and transform these

systems, such as promoting more democratic forms of decision-making, creating new
economic models that prioritize environmental sustainability and social justice, and
supporting social movements that seek to challenge corporate power.

. One of the weaknesses is that Dauvergne's analysis is primarily focused on the actions
of corporations in the developed world. While he acknowledges the role of developing
countries in global environmental problems, he does not give them enough attention.
This is a significant weakness because developing countries often bear the brunt of
environmental problems caused by developed countries.
For example, environmental historian William Cronon argues that "to understand the environmental
problems we face today, we need to look beyond individual corporations and examine the larger
political and economic systems in which they operate" (Cronon, 1995).

It also fails to highlight social justice issues including the disproportionate enviremental degradation
on margonalised communisty as it focus primarly on enviremental impact and does not fully explore
the social and economic impacts of corporate behavior. Rendering it unable to provide a comple
picture of enciremental discourse and policy as it fails to highlight the interconnectedness of
enviremental social and economic issues. For example, environmental justice scholar Robert Bullard
argues that "environmental racism is a key factor in the disproportionate exposure of marginalized
communities to environmental hazards" (Bullard, 1993). Mathew Patterson succeeds in potraying this
relationship much moee inficiently in his book : Matter and Climate Change: Between Collapse
and Transformation" where he emphasize the eed to consider social justice issues in
global response to climate change . particularly the disproportionate impact of climate
change on marginalized communities.

His reliance on technology directly contradict his argument in which he highlight the crucialness of a
systemic solution to enciremental destruction by big business

one weakness of the book is that it fails to provide a clear roadmap for how to address
and correct such challenges while his critique of the current sytem is impotant vast
more attention should be paid in developing concrete policy proposal for how to
address the issue of corperate enviremental destruction.
The authors failure to provide a clear road map on how to achieve systematic change
although he acknowledges that it will require significant political and social mobilization
he does not provide a clear path on how this may be achived a more detailed analysis
of the political and social forces that can drive such changes would make his argument
have more merit and increase its benefit

One example of the limitations of Dauvergne's analysis can be seen in his discussion of
the role of governments in environmental destruction. While he acknowledges that
governments can play a role in regulating corporate behavior, he does not fully examine
the ways in which government policies and practices often prioritize the interests of
corporations over the environment and society.

For instance, government subsidies and tax breaks for industries such as fossil fuels
contribute to environmental destruction by encouraging the continued use of
environmentally harmful practices. Furthermore, governments may prioritize economic
growth over environmental protection, which can result in policies that exacerbate
environmental destruction. These factors contribute to the power imbalances that
enable big business to operate with impunity, but they are not fully explored in
Dauvergne's book.

Another. Is the radicalness and perceived unrealistic solution of call for systemic change
Another is its failure to identify a comprehensive analysis of the factos that enable
corporations to operate in this manner For example, the author does not fully address the
role of financialization in driving environmental degradation, or the role of technological change
in shaping corporate behavior. A more comprehensive analysis of these factors would provide a
more nuanced understanding of the problem at hand.
Despite such limitation the book is a valuable contribution to the field of IPE and
provide an insightfull perspective on the challenge facing global enviremental
governance and provide impartent contribution to the ongoing debate about how to
address enviremental problems in a increasingly globalized world

In conclusion, Peter Dauvergne's book "Will Big Business Destroy the Planet?" is a
valuable contribution to the debate on the relationship between business and the
environment. His argument that big business is a major contributor to environmental
degradation is well-supported, and his call for systemic change is an important one.
However, the book also has some weaknesses, including its limited perspective on the
broader structural factors that contribute to environmental degradation, his over-
reliance on anecdoctal evidence, his failure to highlight social justice issues, his
contradicting solutions as well as his failure to provide a clear roadmap on how to
implement the systematic change needed.Nevertheless, the book provides an important
starting point for further discussions on the relationship between big business and the
environment, and the need for systemic change to address this urgent problem.

Moreover, Dauvergne's approach does not fully consider alternative strategies that may
be more effective in challenging corporate power. For instance, movements for
environmental justice have sought to challenge corporate power through grassroots
organizing and direct action. These movements have highlighted the ways in which
environmental destruction disproportionately affects marginalized communities and
have sought to build alliances between different social movements to challenge
corporate powe
In addition to political power, corporations also often benefit from social and cultural
norms that prioritize consumption and economic growth. Advertising and marketing
efforts by corporations contribute to the creation of consumer culture that encourages
excessive consumption and wastefulness. This further perpetuates the unsustainable
economic system that prioritizes profits over environmental sustainability.

Therefore, while Dauvergne's focus on individual corporations and their actions is

important, it is essential to recognize the broader structural factors that contribute to
environmental destruction. A comprehensive approach to addressing this problem
requires a critical examination of the political and economic systems that enable
corporate power and environmental destruction. This includes examining the role of
government policies and regulations, corporate influence over politics, and societal
norms around consumption and economic growth.

In conclusion, while Dauvergne's book provides a valuable contribution to the literature

on corporate environmental destruction, it is important to recognize its limitations. A
more comprehensive analysis of this problem requires a critical examination of the
political and economic systems that enable corporate power and the development of
strategies to transform these systems in ways that prioritize environmental sustainability
and social justice.

In conclusion, while Dauvergne's book provides an important analysis of corporate

environmental destruction, it is important to recognize its limitations. A more
comprehensive analysis of this problem requires a critical examination of the political
and economic systems that enable corporate power and the development of strategies
to transform these systems in ways that prioritize environmental sustainability and social
justice. This includes examining government policies and practices, considering
alternative strategies for challenging corporate power, and building alliances between
social movements.