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Urbanization, democracy, bureaucratic quality, and environmental degradation

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  • Adams, Samuel
  • Klobodu, Edem Kwame Mensah

Abstract

The study examines the relationship between urbanization and environment degradation while controlling for political environment in 38 African countries over the period 1970–2011. Using panel cointegration and causality analyses, we find that urbanization, environmental degradation (CO2 emissions) and political economy variables (democracy and bureaucratic quality) are cointegrated. Second, democracy and bureaucratic quality are effective in reducing environmental degradation in the long-run. Third, there are positive bi-directional relationships between CO2 emissions and affluence and population as shown by panel vector autoregressive and impulse response functions. However, a negative uni-directional relationship runs from CO2 emissions to bureaucratic quality. These results suggest that political economy variables are important in explaining the relationship between urbanization and environmental degradation.

Suggested Citation

  • Adams, Samuel & Klobodu, Edem Kwame Mensah, 2017. "Urbanization, democracy, bureaucratic quality, and environmental degradation," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 1035-1051.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jpolmo:v:39:y:2017:i:6:p:1035-1051
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpolmod.2017.04.006
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Urbanization; Environmental degradation; CO2 emissions; Democracy; Bureaucratic quality; Panel cointegration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C50 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - General
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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