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Political parties and climate change policy: why do parties sometimes talk about it, but sometimes keep silent

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  • Baiba Witajewska-Baltvilka

Abstract

The paper studies the factors that shape party issue competition on climate change and environmentalism. It covers the quantitative study on political parties' positions in 22 European countries during electoral campaigns between 1990 and 2016, as well as two case studies: Polish electoral campaign in 2011 and German electoral campaign in 2013. The paper concludes that more favourable public opinion towards environment, lower socio-economic inequality and weaker trade unions are associated with high party competition on climate change and environmentalism.

Suggested Citation

  • Baiba Witajewska-Baltvilka, 2018. "Political parties and climate change policy: why do parties sometimes talk about it, but sometimes keep silent," IBS Working Papers 05/2018, Instytut Badan Strukturalnych.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibt:wpaper:wp052018
    as

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    File URL: http://ibs.org.pl//app/uploads/2018/09/IBS_Working_Paper_05_2018.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robert Brulle & Jason Carmichael & J. Jenkins, 2012. "Shifting public opinion on climate change: an empirical assessment of factors influencing concern over climate change in the U.S., 2002–2010," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 114(2), pages 169-188, September.
    2. Bullock, John G., 2011. "Elite Influence on Public Opinion in an Informed Electorate," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 105(3), pages 496-515, August.
    3. Page, Benjamin I. & Shapiro, Robert Y., 1983. "Effects of Public Opinion on Policy," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 77(1), pages 175-190, March.
    4. Kostas Gemenis, 2013. "What to Do (and Not to Do) with the C omparative M anifestos P roject Data," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 61, pages 23-43, April.
    5. Christian B. Jensen & Jae‐Jae Spoon, 2011. "Testing the ‘Party Matters’ Thesis: Explaining Progress towards Kyoto Protocol Targets," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 59(1), pages 99-115, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Jan Witajewski-Baltvilks & Marek Antosiewicz & Andrzej Ceglarz & Haris Doukas & Alexandros Nikas & Jakub Sawulski & Aleksander Szpor & Baiba Witajewska-Baltvilka, 2018. "Risks associated with the decarbonisation of the Polish power sector," IBS Research Reports 05/2018, Instytut Badan Strukturalnych.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    party competition; issue salience; climate change; environmentalism; elections;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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