Nottingham Centre for Research on
Globalisation and Economic Policy (GEP)

GEP Research Paper 00/03

Environmental Protection and Free Trade: Direct and Indirect Competition for Political Influence

Zhihao Yu

Abstract

Why can some environmental groups successfully compete against polluting industries in influencing government environmental policies? This paper suggests an explanation by developing a model of direct and indirect competition for political influence. Among other things, it is shown that moving to free trade increases the level of polarization in political competition. Nevertheless, the less open an economy, the greater the likelihood that free trade will increase domestic environmental protection.

Issued in March 2000.

This paper is available in PDF format .

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