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Democracy, economic development and air pollution: insights from global evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Thi Tuyet Thanh Le

    (Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education)

  • Cong Minh Huynh

    (Eastern International University)

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of democracy and economic development on air pollution for a global sample of 143 countries during 2000–2020. The findings from the fixed effects and the System Generalized Method of Moments estimators demonstrate that: i) democracy reduces air pollution through the channels of resource availability, institutional capacity, public awareness, and policy enforcement; ii) the effectiveness of democracy in reducing air pollution is stronger in upper middle-income and high-income countries compared to low-income and lower middle-income countries, due to the enhanced functioning of these channels in richer democracies; iii) the Environmental Kuznets Curve is validated for the global sample, but not for sub-samples. While democratic governance can lead to environmental improvements universally, the challenges faced by low-income and lower middle-income countries can limit the extent of these benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Thi Tuyet Thanh Le & Cong Minh Huynh, 2025. "Democracy, economic development and air pollution: insights from global evidence," Economics of Governance, Springer, vol. 26(2), pages 185-209, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ecogov:v:26:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10101-025-00327-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10101-025-00327-1
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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