Does the modernization of environmental enforcement reduce toxic releases? An examination of self-policing, criminal prosecutions and toxic releases in the United States, 1988–2014

Stretesky, Paul, Lynch, Michael, Long, Michael and Barrett, Kimberly (2017) Does the modernization of environmental enforcement reduce toxic releases? An examination of self-policing, criminal prosecutions and toxic releases in the United States, 1988–2014. Sociological Spectrum, 37 (1). pp. 48-62. ISSN 0273-2173

[img]
Preview
Text (Article)
Sociological Spectrum Main Document Clean.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (867kB) | Preview
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02732173.2016.1227288

Abstract

According to modernization theory, enforcement schemes that rely on end-of-the-pipe regulation are not as effective at achieving improved environmental performance as market-based approaches that encourage pollution prevention. Consistent with that observation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency transitioned to the use of self-policing to encourage pollution prevention. Other studies note that environmental compliance is significantly affected by traditional “command-and-control” strategies. Using Prais Winston regression we examine these contrasting views by estimating the relationship between toxic releases, self-policing, and criminal prosecutions from 1988 through 2014. Initial correlations suggest that (1) self-policing is not associated with toxic releases but that (2) criminal prosecutions may reduce toxic releases through general deterrence signals. Subsequent analyses controlling for gross domestic product revealed that neither self-policing nor criminal enforcement correlate with toxic releases but that gross domestic product was the strongest predictor of emissions. The implications of these findings for the control of toxic emissions are discussed.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: L300 Sociology
L400 Social Policy
M900 Other in Law
Department: Faculties > Arts, Design and Social Sciences > Social Sciences
Depositing User: Professor Paul Stretesky
Date Deposited: 12 Oct 2016 10:53
Last Modified: 01 Aug 2021 09:05
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/27989

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics