What Does it Take to Sell Environmental Policy? An Empirical Analysis of Referendum Data

Halbheer, Daniel; Niggli, Sarah; Schmutzler, Armin

doi:10.2139/ssrn.730484

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What Does it Take to Sell Environmental Policy? An Empirical Analysis of Referendum Data

SOI Working Paper No. 0304

29 Pages Posted: 3 Jul 2008 Last revised: 18 Aug 2012

See all articles by Daniel Halbheer

Sarah Niggli

University of Zurich - Department of Economics

Armin Schmutzler

University of Zurich - Department of Economics; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Date Written: April 19, 2005

Abstract

We analyze the factors that influence the support for environmental policy proposals. Swiss referendum data show that proposals obtain more yes-votes if they do not restrict consumption possibilities directly, if they are endorsed by business associations, if environmental preferences are strong and economic conditions are favorable at the time of the referendum. Also, there are more pro-environmental votes in cantons with higher population density. On the other hand, yes-votes do not seem to depend on whether a proposal involves a tax or not.

Keywords: Environmental Policy, Direct Democracy, Referendum, Public Choice

JEL Classification: P16, Q28

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Halbheer, Daniel and Niggli, Sarah and Schmutzler, Armin, What Does it Take to Sell Environmental Policy? An Empirical Analysis of Referendum Data (April 19, 2005). SOI Working Paper No. 0304, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=730484 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.730484