Strategic Voids in International Cooperation

A Geopolitical Tool in the Context of Environmental Justice

Abstract

This essay explores the concept of strategic voids in international cooperation and environmental justice, analyzing how these voids serve as tools for hegemonic actors to exert subtle control over global politics, perpetuating systemic inequalities. Strategic voids are deliberate, state-centric gaps left unaddressed in international governance, which hegemonic actors exploit to consolidate their influence. Drawing on power theories by Robert Dahl, Steven Lukes, and Joseph Nye, as well as philosophical concepts from Hegel, Feuerbach, and Nietzsche, the essay examines how these voids reinforce existing power dynamics, contributing to environmental injustice, while allowing hegemonic forces to maintain dominance. In response, the essay proposes specific approaches. One is the development of multi-level governance frameworks that promote participation and inclusive decision-making at both local and global scales, decentralizing power and ensuring greater inclusion of vulnerable communities. It also advocates for redefined global responsibility through incentive-based reward mechanisms, encouraging states, corporations, and organizations to adopt more sustainable practices. This shift moves from punitive centered measures to proactive incentives that align with long-term environmental goals, promoting a cooperative approach to addressing climate issues. Additionally, the essay calls for the exploration of regional climate agreements tailored to the unique challenges of neighboring states, fostering collaboration and addressing cross-border environmental issues. These proposals aim to analyze strategic voids as potential spaces for dialogue and effective international cooperation, with a view to addressing the root causes of environmental injustice. The paper emphasizes the need for critical and epistemological vigilance over the structures and key actors in international relations, as well as the importance of inclusive participation in global decision-making. It concludes by calling for a transformation of governance models toward more just and sustainable frameworks that prioritize both environmental protection and social equity. Such shifts could contribute to moving towards an international system that more effectively addresses issues of justice, while acknowledging the challenges involved.