Skip to main content

Economic Prescriptions for Environmental Problems: Not Exactly What the Doctor Ordered

  • Chapter
  • 76 Accesses

Part of the book series: Topics in Regulatory Economics and Policy Series ((TREP,volume 4))

Abstract

It is not easy to sit in an ivory tower and think of ways to help solve the world’s environmental problems. As one who frequently engages in this exercise, I can attest to this fact. One of the dangers with ivory tower theorizing is that it is easy to lose sight of the actual problems that need to be solved, and the range of potential solutions. In my view, this loss of sight has become increasingly evident in the theoretical structure underlying environmental economics, which often emphasizes elegance at the expense of realism.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Allison, G., The Essence of Decision Boston, Massachusetts: Little, Brown and Co., 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, E., “Deregulation: Causes and Consequences,” Science 234 (1986): 1211–1216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barde, J., “Use of Economic Instruments for Environmental Protection: Discussion Paper,” ENV/ECO/86.16, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, September 9, 27, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumol, W. and Oates, W., The Theory of Environmental Policy Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, G., “A Theory of Competition Among Pressure Groups for Political Influence,” Quarterly Journal of Economics 98 (1983): 371–400.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, G., “Public Policies, Pressure Groups, and Dead Weight Costs,” Journal of Public Economics 28 (1985): 329–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bohm, P. and Russell, C, C., “Comparative Analysis of Alternative Policy Instruments,” in Handbook of Natural Resource and Energy Economics Volume I, edited by A. Kneese and J. Sweeney, New York: Elsevier Science Publishers, 395–461, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohm, P. and Russell, C., “Comparative Analysis of Alternative Policy Instruments,” in Handbook of Natural Resource and Energy Economics, Volume I, edited by A. Kneese and J. Sweeney, New York: Elsevier Science Publishers, 395–461, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boland, J., “Economic Instruments for Environmental Protection in the United States,” ENV/ECO/86.14, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, September 11, 83 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bower, B. et al., Incentives in Water Quality Management: France and the Ruhr Area Resources for the Future, Washington, D.C., 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bressers, J., “Dutch Environmental Policy,” paper to be delivered at the International Symposium, “Better Environmental Protection for Less Money,” mimeo, Twente University of Technology, Enschede, Netherlands, 1983a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bressers, J, J., “The Effectiveness of Dutch Water Quality Policy,” Twente University of Technology, Netherlands, mimeo, 31 pp., 1983b.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brickman, R., Jasanoff, S. and Ilgen, T., Controlling Chemicals: The Politics of Regulation in Europe and the United States Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, G., Jr., “Economic Instruments: Alternatives or Supplements to Regulations?,” Environment and Economics Issue Paper, Environment Directorate OECD, June (1984a): 103–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, G., Jr, Jr., “Selected Economic Policies for Managing Hazardous Waste in Western Europe,” mimeo, prepared for the Environmental Protection Agency, August, 36 pp., 1984b.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, G., Jr., and Bressers, J, J., “Evidence Supporting Effluent Charges,” mimeo, September, 28 pp., 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazardous Waste in Western Europe, and Johnson, R., “Pollution Control by Effluent Charges: It Works in the Federal Republic of Germany, Why Not in the U.S., ” Natural Resources Journal 24 (1984): 929–966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchanan, J. and Tullock, G., “Polluters’ Profits and Political Response: Direct Controls Versus Taxes, ” American Economic Review 65 (1975): 139–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campos, J, J., “Toward a Theory of Instrument Choice in the Regulation of Markets,” California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, mimeo, January 26, 30 pp., 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coelho, P., “Polluters’ Profits and Political Response: Direct Control Versus Taxes: Comment, ” American Economic Review 66 (1976): 976–978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dales, J., Pollution, Property and Prices University Press, Toronto, Canada, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • David, M. and Joeres, E., “Is a Viable Implementation of TDPs Transferable?,” in E. Joeres and M. David, eds., Buying a Better Environment: Cost-Effective Regulation Through Permit Trading Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press, 1983: 233–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derthick, M. and Quirk, P., The Politics of Deregulation Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewees, D., “Instrument Choice in Environmental Policy,” Economic Inquiry 21 (1983): 53–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dudek, D., and Palmisano, J., “Emissions Trading: Why is this Throroughbred Hobbled?, ” Columbia Journal of Environmental Law 13 (1988): 217–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elmore, T. et al., “Trading Between Point and Nonpoint Sources: A Cost Effective Method for Improving Water Quality,” paper presented at the 57th annual Conference/Exposition of the Water Pollution Control Federation, New Orleans, Louisiana, 20 pp., 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R., Marketable Permits: What’s All the Fuss About?,“ Journal of Public Policy 2 (1982): 395–411.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R., “Designing Markets in Transferable Property Rights: A Practitioner’s Guide,” in E. Joeres and M. David, eds., Buying a Better Environment: Cost Effective Regulation Through Permit Trading Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press, 1983: 83–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R., “Market Power and Transferable Property Rights,” Ouarterly Journal of Economics 99 (1984): 753–765.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R., “Tradeoffs in Designing Markets with Multiple Objectives,” Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 13 (1986): 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R., “Jobs and Environmental Quality: Some Implications for Instrument Choice,” Policy Sciences 20 (1987a): 289–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R., “Rules, Equality and Efficiency: An Evaluation of Two Regulatory Reforms,” Working Paper 87–7, School of Urban and Public Affairs, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1987b.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R., “An Evaluation of Options for Reducing Hazardous Waste,” Harvard Environmental Law Review 12 (1988a): 201–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R., “Instrument Choice, Political Reform and Economic Welfare,” Council of Economic Advisers, mimeo, November, 1988b.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R, R., “The Political Economy of Environmental Regulation: Towards a Unifying Framework,” Working Paper 88–33, School of Urban and Public Affairs, Carnegie-Mellon University, 1988c.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R. and Hester, G., “Where Did All the Markets Go?: An Analysis of EPA’s Emission Trading Program,” Yale Journal on Regulation forthcoming, 1987a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R., and Hester, G., “Marketable Permits: Lessons for Theory and Practice,” Ecology Law Quarterly forthcoming, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R. and Hester, G., “The Market for Bads: EPA’s Experience with Emissions Trading, ” Regulation 3 /4 (1987b): 48–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R. and McGartland, A., “The Political Economy of Instrument Choice: An Examiniation of the U.S. Role in Implementing the Montreal Protocol,” Northwestern University Law Review forthcoming, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R. and Noll, R., “Designing a Market for Tradable Emissions Permits,” in W. Magat, ed., Reform of Environmental Regulation Cambridge: Ballinger 1982: 119–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn, R. and Noll, R., “Barriers to Implementing

    Google Scholar 

  • Tradable Air Pollution Permits: Problems of Regulatory Interaction,“ Yale Journal on Regulation 1 (1983): 63–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kashmanian, R. et al., “Beyond Categorical Limits: The Case for Pollution Reduction Through Trading,” paper presented at the 59th Annual Water Pollution Control Federation Conference, October 6–9, 35 pp., 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kneese, A. and Schultze, C., Pollution. Prices, and Public Policy Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lave, L., “Controlling Contradictions Among Regulations,” American Economic Review 74 (1984): 471–475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine, M., “Revisionism Revised? Airline Deregulation and the Public Interest, ” Law and Contemporary Problems 44 (1981): 179–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liroff, R., Reforming Air Pollution Regulation: The Toil and Trouble of EPA’s Bubble The Conservation Foundation, Washington, D.C., 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCubbins, M. and Page, T., “The Congressional Foundations of Agency Performance,” Public Choice 51 (1986): 173–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery, W.D., “Markets in Licenses and Efficient Pollution Control Programs,” Journal of Economic Theory 5 (1972): 395–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noll, R., “The Political Foundations of Regulatory Policy,” Zeitschrift fur die gesamte Staatswissenschaft 139 (1983): 377–404.

    Google Scholar 

  • Novotny, G., “Transferable Discharge Permits for Water Pollution Control In Wisconsin,” mimeo, December 1, 19 pp., 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivry, D, D., “Economic Instruments for Environmental Protection in France,” ENV/ECO/86.10, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, July 9, 84 pp., 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • OMB memorandum, “Barriers to Innovation: Alternative Approaches to Regulation,” December 12, 12 pp., 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Neil, W., “The Regulation of Water Pollution Permit Trading under Conditions of Varying Streamflow and Temperature,” in E. Joeres and M. David, eds., Buying a Better Environment: Cost-Effective Regulation Through Permit Trading Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press, 1983: 219–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Opschoor, J, J., “Economic Instruments for Environmental Protection in the Netherlands,” ENV/ECO/86.15, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, August 1, 66 pp., 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overeynder, P., Telephone interview, Consultant to Northwest Colorado Council of Governments, Denver, Colorado, May 26, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panella, G, G., “Economic Instruments for Environmental Protection in Italy,” ENV/ECO/86.11, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, September 2, 42 pp., 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, D., Telephone Interview, Bureau of Water Resources Management, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin, April 2, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pigou, A., The Economics of Welfare Fourth Edition, London: Macmillan and Co., 1932.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plott, C., “Externalities and Corrective Policies in Experimental Markets,” Economic Journal 93 (1983): 106–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rolph, E., “Government Allocation of Property Rights: Who Gets What?,” Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 3 (1983): 45–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H., Administrative Behavior Third Edition, Glencoe, Illinois: Free Press Press, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sprenger, R, R., “Economic Instruments for Environmental Protection in Germany,” Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, October 7, 78 pp., 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tietenberg, T., Emissions Trading: An Exercise in Reforming Pollution Policy Resources for the Future, Washington, D.C., 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Congressional Budget Office, Hazardous Waste Management: Recent Changes and Policy Alternatives May, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Costs and Benefits of Reducing Lead in Gasoline, Final Regulatory Impact Analysis,” Office of Policy Analysis, February, 1985a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, W., “The Political Feasibility of Full Ownership Property Rights: The Cases of Pollution and Fisheries,” Policy Sciences 16 (1983): 165–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wisconsin Department of Development, Division of Policy Development, Bureau of Research, “Ozone Air Quality Management and Economic Development in Southeastern Wisconsin,” Report RP-86–8, October, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yohe, G., “Polluters’ Profits and Political Response: Direct Control Versus Taxes: Comment,” American Economic Review 66 (1976): 981–982.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hahn, R.W. (1989). Economic Prescriptions for Environmental Problems: Not Exactly What the Doctor Ordered. In: Shogren, J.F. (eds) The Political Economy of Government Regulation. Topics in Regulatory Economics and Policy Series, vol 4. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0871-3_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0871-3_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-8212-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0871-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics