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Democracy and Environmental Quality in Latin America: A Panel System of Equations Approach, 1995-2008

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  • García Callejas, Danny

Abstract

Resumen: Esta investigación sugiere que un incremento del 10% en los niveles de democracia en América Latina reduce hasta en 0.6% el nivel de emisiones per capita de CO2 (calidad ambiental). Esta relación se estima mediante un sistema de ecuaciones de panel de datos aplicado a 19 países latinoamericanos en el periodo 1995-2008. La democracia actúa como un medio para las crecientes demandas de calidad ambiental en América Latina causadas por el incremento en la población urbana y niveles de desarrollo. Sin embargo, esta investigación tiene, por lo menos, dos limitaciones: primero, no analiza la relación de largo plazo entre democracia y calidad ambiental en América Latina; y, segundo, este estudio supone que la democracia es un sistema político solo con consecuencias positivas. / Abstract: This study finds that a 10% increase in the level of democracy in Latin America reduces (raises) CO2 emissions per capita (environmental quality) by up to 0.6%. This relationship is estimated by using a fixed effects panel system of equations for 19 Latin American countries in the period 1995-2008. Democracy serves as a conduit for increasing demands on environmental quality in Latin America, due to increases in urban population and prosperity. Nevertheless, this study has, at least, two caveats: first it cannot unveil the long run relationship between democracy and environmental quality in Latin America; and, secondly, this study assumes that democracy entails positives outcomes for countries adopting this political system.

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  • García Callejas, Danny, 2010. "Democracy and Environmental Quality in Latin America: A Panel System of Equations Approach, 1995-2008," Borradores Departamento de Economía 8102, Universidad de Antioquia, CIE.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000196:008102
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    América Latina; calidad ambiental; democracia; emisiones per capita de CO2; sistema de ecuaciones de panel;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • N46 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Latin America; Caribbean
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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