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Elections and Political Polarisation: Challenges for Environmental Agreements

Author

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  • Sarah Spycher
Abstract
This paper examines the role of domestic elections and political polarisation in shaping international environmental agreements and how electoral dynamics may explain the limited success of current climate cooperation. I focus on two key factors: the impact of domestic electoral pressure on international policy decisions and the mismatch between short election cycles and long-term treaty commitments. Using a 4-stage game modelling a bilateral environmental agreement, I analyse how incumbents strategically balance policy preferences with reelection prospects. Results show that while a green incumbent is often forced to temper their ambitions, a brown incumbent faces fewer electoral constraints, explaining why stringent policies are harder to achieve. Nonetheless, electoral pressure can moderate policies, producing outcomes more aligned with the preferences of the median voter. Finally, I discuss how political polarisation, particularly in two party systems, adds complexity to international cooperation on global public goods.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Spycher, 2024. "Elections and Political Polarisation: Challenges for Environmental Agreements," Working Papers wp1196, Dipartimento Scienze Economiche, Universita' di Bologna.
    • Handle: RePEc:bol:bodewp:wp1196
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State

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