Does trade openness promote multilateral environmental cooperation?

Neumayer, Eric ORCID: 0000-0003-2719-7563 (2002) Does trade openness promote multilateral environmental cooperation? World Economy, 25 (6). pp. 815-832. ISSN 0378-5920

Preview

PDF - Accepted Version Download (445kB) | Preview

• Author

Abstract

This article puts forward a number of arguments why trade openness might promote multilateral environmental cooperation. Most of these arguments are grounded in the substantive self-interest of the trading country. It tests the proposition using a range of proxy variables for general trade openness as well as specific export interests. The article examines whether countries open to trade are more likely to have signed three recent multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and are more likely to have ratified early on another three agreements with quasi-universal membership. After controlling for income, political freedom and population size, the empirical estimations find some weak evidence in favour of a possible synergy between trade openness and multilateral environmental cooperation. World Trade Organisation membership as well as general export openness go hand in hand with greater willingness to participate in multilateral environmental cooperation in some cases. However, whether specific trade interests promote or hinder multilateral environmental cooperation depends on whether the relevant agreement is likely to threaten or accommodate the interests of exporting countries.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref...
Additional Information:	© 2002 Blackwell Publishers
Divisions:	Geography & Environment
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Date Deposited:	24 Oct 2008 15:48
Last Modified:	14 Oct 2024 04:27
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/17882

Actions (login required)

View Item