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Are Autocracies Bad for the Environment? Global Evidence from Two Centuries of Data

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  • Apra Sinha
  • Ashish Kumar Sedai
  • Abhishek Kumar
  • Rabindra Nepal

Abstract

Reducing carbon dioxide emissions is crucial for reducing the danger posed by climate change. There are factors for and against democracies in achieving these desired reductions. Using data from 150 countries, we estimate the marginal emission intensity (i.e., the change in per-capita carbon dioxide emissions for a unit change in per-capita income) across autocracies and democracies. We use regional waves of democratization and mean per-capita income of other countries in the region as instruments for democracy and per-capita income, respectively. Using these instruments, we obtain the causal estimate of the difference in marginal emission intensity and confirm that democracies have lower per-capita carbon dioxide emissions per unit increase in per-capita income compared to autocracies. Our results suggest that these benefits of democracies have occurred in recent decades, following the surge in public concerns about climate change and intergovernmental initiatives to reduce emissions. There is also evidence to suggest that strengthening rule enforcement and improving access to justice can be critical in decreasing carbon dioxide emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Apra Sinha & Ashish Kumar Sedai & Abhishek Kumar & Rabindra Nepal, 2023. "Are Autocracies Bad for the Environment? Global Evidence from Two Centuries of Data," The Energy Journal, , vol. 44(2), pages 47-78, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:enejou:v:44:y:2023:i:2:p:47-78
    DOI: 10.5547/01956574.44.2.asin
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shafik, Nemat & Bandyopadhyay, Sushenjit, 1992. "Economic growth and environmental quality : time series and cross-country evidence," Policy Research Working Paper Series 904, The World Bank.
    2. Eric Neumayer, 2002. "Do Democracies Exhibit Stronger International Environmental Commitment? A Cross-country Analysis," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 39(2), pages 139-164, March.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    EKC; Environmental Kuznets curve; Turning point; Democracy; Autocracy; Instrumental variable;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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