IS INEQUALITY HARMFUL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IN A GROWING ECONOMY?
In this paper, we investigate the relationship between inequality and the environment in a growing economy from a political-economy perspective. We consider an endogenous growth economy, where growth generates pollution and a deterioration of the environment. Public expenditures may either be devoted to supporting growth or abating pollution. The decision over the public programs is made in a direct democracy, with simple majority rule. We prove that the median voter is decisive and show that inequality is harmful for the environment: the poorer the median voter relative to the average individual, the less she will tax and devote resources to the environment, preferring to support growth. Copyright 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd..
Year of publication: |
2007
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Authors: | KEMPF, HUBERT ; ROSSIGNOL, STÉPHANE |
Published in: |
Economics and Politics. - Wiley Blackwell. - Vol. 19.2007, 1, p. 53-71
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Publisher: |
Wiley Blackwell |
Saved in:
freely available
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