In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that China’s rapid economic development has come at a significant environmental cost. Pollution problems are now a source of serious public concern, at times even social unrest. The government has responded with an ambitious reform program that...

For decades, property owners across the United States have struggled to comply with the Clean Water Act, in large part because they do not know which “waters” are regulated. Vague definitions, inconsistent enforcement, and changing rules contribute to this ongoing problem. Despite the...

This paper proposes a model of natural-resource exploitation when private ownership requires costly enforcement activities. Enforcement costs are endogenized as the outcome of a game between the owner of a resource and encroachers. In equilibrium, the analysis suggests that in order to deter...

We first review the literature pertaining to the protection of the modern sector in developing countries (DCs). We then discuss the nexuses between protection, economic dualism, and optimal environmental policy in DCs. Next, in the theoretical part of the paper, we construct a dynamic model of...

We first review the literature pertaining to the protection of the modern sector in developing countries (DCs). We then discuss the nexuses between protection, economic dualism, and optimal environmental policy in DCs. Next, in the theoretical part of the paper, we construct a dynamic model of...

We analyze a dynamic model of environmental policy in a stylized developing country (DC) with a dual economy. This DC’s economy is distorted because the government subsidizes the exports of the non-polluting sector of the economy. We analyze the employment and output effects of three different...

This paper explores empirically the impact of enforcement efforts on environmental compliance, focusing on the role of regulator reputation spillover effects. We find that, on the margin, the impact of a fine for water pollutant violations is about a two-thirds reduction in the statewide...

Animal feeding operations are being targeted as sources of point and nonpoint pollutants. In response to the need to improve water quality, governments and agencies are enacting new regulations proscribing activities to reduce pollutants entering waters. Pursuant to the Clean Water Act, the...