A Simple Model of Trade, Capital Mobility, and the Environment

U.B.C. Department of Economics, Discussion Paper No. 9701

Posted: 18 Apr 1997

See all articles by M. Scott Taylor

M. Scott Taylor

University of Calgary - Department of Economics

Brian R. Copeland

University of British Columbia

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: February 1996; January 1997

Abstract

This paper examines the interaction between relative factor abundance and income-induced policy differences in determining the pattern of trade and the effect of trade liberalization on pollution. If a rich and capital abundant North trades with a poor and labour abundant South, then free trade lowers world pollution. Trade shifts the production of pollution intensive goods to the capital abundant North despite its stricter pollution regulations. Pollution levels rise in the North while those in the South fall. These results can be reversed however if the North- South income gap is "too large" for in this case, the pattern of trade is driven by income-induced pollution policy differences across countries. Capital mobility may raise or lower world pollution depending on the pattern of trade.

JEL Classification: Q38

Suggested Citation

Taylor, Michael Scott and Copeland, Brian, A Simple Model of Trade, Capital Mobility, and the Environment (February 1996; January 1997). U.B.C. Department of Economics, Discussion Paper No. 9701, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4836

Michael Scott Taylor (Contact Author)

University of Calgary - Department of Economics ( email )

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Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4
Canada

Brian Copeland

University of British Columbia ( email )

997-1873 East Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Canada
604-822-8215 (Phone)

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