Graduate Program
Political Science
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Semester of Degree Completion
2012
Thesis Director
David Carwell
Thesis Committee Member
Ryan Hendrickson
Thesis Committee Member
Melinda Mueller
Abstract
Blood diamonds, or "conflict diamonds," have funded rebel movements and terrorist organizations worldwide. Bloodshed over these diamonds, the conflicts they prolonged, and the horrific human rights violations associated with the competition for this natural resource, resulted in an international effort to regulate rough diamonds, and has become an issue for states, institutions, non-government organizations (NGOs), media, and the public. Forums were held in 2001, known as the Kimberley Process, to discuss the threat of conflict diamonds. With the United Nations' support, state and nonstate actors devised the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), a non-binding agreement to stop the import and export of conflict diamonds. What accounts for the creation of the Kimberley Process? What accounts for state compliance in regards to the KPCS? It is important to account for this cooperation because of the threat blood diamonds pose on an individual, sub-systemic, and systemic level. Countries currently violate the KPCS and are engaging in human rights violations and endanger the legitimacy of the diamond industry. Success and sustainability of the KPCS is essential to combat blood diamonds, promote human rights, and keep the industry afloat. This paper examines the utility of four International Relations theories: realism, classical liberalism, neoliberalism, and constructivism, to help explain the existing cooperation of governments, industry, and civil society to address this problem. The findings indicate the analytical limitation of these theories to explain world politics shifted by government, industry, and civil society. All four theories are needed to explain the KPCS thoroughly.
Recommended Citation
Thomas, Holly, "IR theory and state cooperation on blood diamonds" (2012). Masters Theses. 865.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/865
