David & Goliaths in International Climate Change Negotiations

In David & the Goliaths in International Climate Change Negotiations; a 2010 PhD dissertation qualifying paper (final draft lost in evacuation, this is a recovered near final draft), Adam Zemans uses the classic David vs. Goliath metaphor to explore Bolivia’s uphill battle in global climate change diplomacy. Bolivia, under President Evo Morales's previous mandate, took a stand against the world’s climate "Goliaths"—the powerful industrial nations responsible for the bulk of emissions. From rejecting the Copenhagen Accord to hosting the landmark World People’s Conference on Climate Change, Bolivia positioned itself as a fierce advocate for climate justice and anti-capitalist solutions.

The paper does not cheer Bolivia on. Adam Zemans argues that while Bolivia's moral stance is strong, it’s not enough to confront the overwhelming forces of the U.S., China, and Europe. If Bolivia wants to survive the looming climate disaster, it can't afford to ruin deals, holding out for the perfect. Instead, Zemans makes the case for a "grand coalition"—in which Bolivia must cooperate with these Goliaths, while still pushing for as much climate justice as it can get.

This is a deep dive into Bolivia's 2010 climate diplomacy, packed with game theory, primers on international climate law, economics, science, and a call for balanced pragmatism in the face of a global emergency.