This paper explores the relationship between environmental protection and international capital movements, when tax policy is endogenous (through voting). A two-period general equilibrium model of a small open economy is specified to compare the effects of two different constitutions (commitment or no commitment in tax policy), as well as income inequality. Under the commitment regime, the equilibrium is characterised by a lower labour tax, higher environmental tax and less capital moving abroad than in the no-commitment equilibrium. Furthermore, given the degree of commitment, more equal societies are characterised by tougher environmental policy and less capital moving abroad.

Keywords: Environmental policy, international capital movements, time consistency, inequality, political economy, human capital.

JEL classification: F20, H21, H23.

Correspondence to:
L. Marsiliani, Department of Economics and Finance, University of Durham, 23-26 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HY,
UK. Tel: +44-(0)191-334 6363. Fax: +44-(0)191-334 6341.
Email: laura.marsiliani@durham.ac.uk Web: http://www.dur.ac.uk/~dec0lm/

T.I. Renström, Department of Economics and Finance, University of Durham, 23-26 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HY,
UK. Tel: +44-(0)191-334 6369. Fax: +44-(0)191-334 6341.
Email: t.i.renstrom@durham.ac.uk Web: http://www.dur.ac.uk/t.i.renstrom/

Back to Laura Marsiliani's Research.

Back to Laura Marsiliani's Homepage.

Back to the Department's home page.