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Democracy and Environmental Quality: Accounting for Transmission Channels

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  • Kinda Somlanare Romuald

    (University of Ouaga II)

Abstract

This paper contributes to the controversial literature on democratic institutions and environmental quality. Despite an extensive literature, studies have not focused on the transmission channels by which democracy affect environmental quality. Using panel data from 1960 to 2008 in 122 developed and developing countries, results are as follows: First democratic institutions have opposite effects on environmental quality: a positive and direct effect on environmental quality and a negative indirect effect through domestic investments and income inequality. Second, the positive effect of democracy on environmental quality is higher in developed countries than in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Kinda Somlanare Romuald, 2019. "Democracy and Environmental Quality: Accounting for Transmission Channels," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 44(2), pages 1-27, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:jed:journl:v:44:y:2019:i:2:p:1-27
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Democratic Institutions; Air Pollution; Panel Data; Income Inequality; Domestic Investments; Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); Trade;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F18 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Environment
    • F64 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Environment
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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