The Politics of Public Policy Chapter 21 Environmental
The Politics of Public Policy Chapter 21 Environmental Policy
Introduction �A LARGE majority of the people believe that the government should do more to protect the environment
Introduction � How can it be controversial? ◦ every policy creates �winners and � losers �sometimes it’s big business �sometimes it’s the ordinary person ◦ scientific uncertainty �is the problem really a problem or just hype? �is the solution really a solution?
Introduction � How can it be controversial? ◦ Entrepreneurial politics �often relies on people to stir up emotions �demonize the polluters ◦ policies affect �states �foreign nations
The American Context � Environmental policies exist almost everywhere � American Features ◦ US “personality” is more adversarial than most �business accuses government of being unrealistic �government accuses business of being insensitive
The American Context ◦ the federal system �federal government sets standards �states MANAGE those standards �increases friction �state to state �city to countryside �more access points in government for interest groups to have their say
Environmental Politics Entrepreneurial Politics ◦ benefits many ◦ burdens few ◦ Policy entrepreneur stirs up the public ◦ politicians have to react!
Environmental Politics Entrepreneurial Politics ◦ examples �pesticides �DDT and eagles �Rachel Carson, Silent Spring �global warming �Kyoto Protocols �Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth �science or hype? ? �oil industry �BP Deep Horizons blowout �Exxon Valdez spill �Keystone pipeline
Environmental Politics Majoritarian Politics ◦ benefits many ◦ burdens many ◦ will pass if public believes �the cost is little �Environmental Impact Statement �sadly, became a legal boom �someone else is paying (costs are hidden) �cleaner car emissions �catalytic converter cost added to car cost
Environmental Politics Majoritarian Politics �The Environmental Protection Agency � 1969 �Cuyahoga River Fire
Environmental Politics Interest Group Politics ◦ benefits few ◦ burdens few ◦ Examples �Acid Rain �burdens western industries �benefits eastern towns �Land Use/Zoning Laws �burdens developers �benefits those who desire status quo ◦ politics usually favors policy entrepreneurs over interest groups
Environmental Politics Client Politics �benefits few �burdens many ◦ Agro-Biz �farmers are well organized �join to fight �pesticide control �run-off control �water rights ◦ Timber industry �access to public forests �fight to allow clean-cut �fight for jobs over wildlife!
Environmental Uncertainties � What is the Problem? ◦ Environmental Headlines �leads to popular outcry �pushes other environmental issues to the back �debate over validity of “crisis”
Environmental Uncertainties � What are the Costs and Benefits? ◦ weigh �realistic and unrealistic threats �reasonable and unreasonable costs ◦ government must navigate public opinion �to real threats �to real solutions
Environmental Uncertainties � How do we achieve our Goals? ◦ Offsets �increased pollution in one region �must have equal decreased pollution in another area ◦ Bubble Standard �a facility can only produce a certain amount of pollution �owners can adjust levels in different areas of facility to meet overall standard
Environmental Uncertainties � How do we achieve our Goals? ◦ Pollution Allowance (Bank) �if you under-produce pollution �you can save for future overages �you can sell to someone else �if you over-produce pollution �you can dip into your “bank savings” from previous years �you can buy clean credits from under-producers
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