The Tradeoff between Growth and Environment: Evidence from China and the United States

Jing Xu


Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, 611130, China (China)

Jianjun Li


Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, 611130, China (China)


Abstract

This paper empirically analyzes individual attitudes on the tradeoff between environment and economy, and factors that might influence such choice for two representative countries: China and the United States. Based on the World Value Survey, the Chinese are found more inclined to support environmental protection, while people from the United States choose economic growth as priority. Considering three sets of correlates of sociodemographics, environmental attitude and social context, variables such as education, political affiliation and environmental consciousness show significance in influencing personal preferences, and the effect of health, age, employment and marital status demonstrates heterogeneity across countries. Such micro-level evidence on how the public weighs the economy versus environment can provide policy guidance for the government to better respond to public opinions.


Keywords:

economic growth, environmental protection, tradeoff, individual preference, public opinion

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Published
2018-01-02

Cited by

Xu, J., & Li, J. (2018). The Tradeoff between Growth and Environment: Evidence from China and the United States. Problemy Ekorozwoju, 13(1), 15–20. Retrieved from https://ph.pollub.pl/index.php/preko/article/view/5033

Authors

Jing Xu 

Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, 611130, China China

Authors

Jianjun Li 

Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, 611130, China China

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