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Social Capital and National Environmental Performance: A Cross-sectional Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • R. Quentin Grafton

    (Australian National University, Asia Pacific School of Economics and Government)

  • Stephen Knowles

    (University of Otago, Department of Economics)

Abstract
Using cross-country data from a sample of low, middle and high-income countries, the paper explores the empirical relationships between national measures of social capital (civic and public), social divergence and social capacity upon various indicators of national environmental performance. The results suggest that the mere existence of social capital, as measured by trust, civic engagement and associational activity, is not a sufficient condition for improved national environmental outcomes. The findings indicate, one, how social capital is applied and whether it is directed to environmental stewardship is important in determining its national impact, two, the significance of public social capital and effective national environmental policies in decoupling the link between environmental degradation and economic activity and, three, the possible link between effective environmental policies and public social capital and higher levels of per capita income.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Quentin Grafton & Stephen Knowles, 2002. "Social Capital and National Environmental Performance: A Cross-sectional Analysis," Economics and Environment Network Working Papers 0206, Australian National University, Economics and Environment Network.
    • Handle: RePEc:anu:eenwps:0206
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Foa, Roberto, 2009. "Social and governance dimensions of climate change : implications for policy," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4939, The World Bank.
    2. Munasib, Abdul B.A. & Jordan, Jeffrey L., 2011. "The Effect of Social Capital on the Choice to Use Sustainable Agricultural Practices," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 43(2), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Alvin Etang Ndip & David Fielding & Stephen Knowles, 2007. "Survey Trust, Experimental Trust and ROSCA Membership in Rural Cameroon," Working Papers 0713, University of Otago, Department of Economics, revised Nov 2007.
    4. Daniel Fiorino, 2011. "Explaining national environmental performance: approaches, evidence, and implications," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 44(4), pages 367-389, November.
    5. Jones, Randall E. & Saunders, Glen & Balogh, Suzy, 2005. "An Economic Evaluation of a Pest Management Control Program: "Outfox the Fox"," Research Reports 42653, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Research Economists.
    6. Wilks, Daniela, 2008. "Private Affluence Versus Public Squalor: Atittudes Towards Recycling Domestic Waste," Working Papers 6/2008, Universidade Portucalense, Centro de Investigação em Gestão e Economia (CIGE).
    7. Owen, Ann L. & Videras, Julio, 2008. "Trust, cooperation, and implementation of sustainability programs: The case of Local Agenda 21," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(1-2), pages 259-272, December.
    8. Yu-Shu Peng & Shing-Shiuan Lin, 2009. "National Culture, Economic Development, Population Growth and Environmental Performance: The Mediating Role of Education," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 90(2), pages 203-219, December.
    9. Stephen Knowles, 2006. "Is Social Capital Part of the Institutions Continuum and is it a Deep Determinant of Development?," WIDER Working Paper Series RP2006-25, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    10. Alvin Etang, 2008. "Modelling the Effects of Socio-Economic Characteristics on Survey Trust: Empirical Evidence from Cameroon," Working Papers 0808, University of Otago, Department of Economics, revised Oct 2008.
    11. Singh, Rajinder Pal & Brennan, John P. & Lacy, John & Steel, Felicity, 2005. "An Assessment of the Economic, Environmental and Social Impacts of the Ricecheck Program," Research Reports 42652, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Research Economists.
    12. Munasib, Abdul B.A. & Jordan, Jeffrey L., 2006. "Are Friendly Farmers Environmentally Friendly? Environmental Awareness as a Social Capital Outcome," 2006 Annual Meeting, February 5-8, 2006, Orlando, Florida 35281, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social capital; national environmental performance;

    JEL classification:

    • Q20 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - General
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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