ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the general assumptions and explores what extent and how each of these general arguments applies to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) process. It argues that much of the frustration expressed in the public debate about what has been accomplished through UNCED builds upon a misconception of the political process. The chapter also argues that institutional arrangements should be seen not only as a poor substitute for “the real thing,” but also as a potential instrument for regime development and implementation. The more politically malign the problem, the greater seems to be the advantages of incrementalism over its bold alternatives, at least in the initial stages of regime formation processes. The fact that a certain problem is subject to policy-making efforts may affect expectations of governments and societies.
