Self-Regulation and Social Welfare: The Political Economy of Corporate Environmentalism
We extend the economic theory of regulation to allow for strategic self-regulation that preempts political action. When political "entry" is costly for consumers, firms can deter it through voluntary restraints. Unlike standard entry models, deterrence is achieved by overinvesting to raise the rival's welfare in the event of entry. Empirical evidence on releases of toxic chemicals shows that an increased threat of regulation (as proxied by increased membership in conservation groups) indeed induces firms to reduce toxic releases. We establish conditions under which self-regulation, if it occurs, is a Pareto improvement once costs of influencing policy are included. Copyright 2000 by the University of Chicago.
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Volume (Year): 43 (2000)
Issue (Month): 2 (October)
Pages: 583-617
| Handle: | RePEc:ucp:jlawec:v:43:y:2000:i:2:p:583-617 |
| Contact details of provider: | Web page: http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/JLE/
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References listed on IDEAS
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- Maloney, Michael T & McCormick, Robert E, 1982. "A Positive Theory of Environmental Quality Regulation," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 25(1), pages 99-123, April.
- Pirrong, Stephen Craig, 1995. "The Self-Regulation of Commodity Exchanges: The Case of Market Manipulation," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 38(1), pages 141-206, April. Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)
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