Politics and Environment: Democracy and Public Goods

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What is the primary reason why non-democratic regimes are likely to underprovide public goods?

The costs of stricter environmental policies are borne disproportionately by the elites (correct)

The elites in these regimes are not concerned about the environment

The median voter in these regimes has little incentive to implement environmental policies

The institutional features of these regimes are not designed to provide public goods

What is the role of the median voter in democracies, according to the theory?

The median voter faces higher costs from environmental policies relative to the economic elite

The median voter faces lower costs from environmental policies relative to the economic elite (correct)

The median voter decides on public policy based on the interests of the elite

The median voter has little incentive to implement environmental policies

What is the expected outcome of democratic regimes in terms of public goods provision?

Democracies are likely to provide more public goods due to the influence of the median voter (correct)

Democracies are likely to provide fewer public goods than non-democratic regimes

Democracies are likely to underprovide public goods due to the influence of the elite

Democracies have no impact on public goods provision

What is the primary focus of the theory in terms of global public goods issues?

Climate change Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the degree of democracy and public goods provision, according to the theory?

A positive effect, as democracies are likely to provide more public goods Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected relationship between democracy and environmental quality according to some authors?

A positive relationship Signup and view all the answers

Why might public goods be underprovided in democratic countries according to some authors?

Due to the influence of strong special interest groups Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential issue with elected politicians in democratic countries according to some authors?

They prioritize short-term benefits Signup and view all the answers

What is a competing proposition regarding the effects of democracy on public goods provision?

The difference between presidential and parliamentary systems Signup and view all the answers

What is the concern about non-democratic countries in terms of public goods provision?

They may underprovide public goods Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely outcome of demand for environmental public goods provision in democracies compared to non-democracies?

Equally strong Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of climate change mitigation in relation to public goods?

It is a global public good Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between democratic systems and the supply of public goods?

Democratic systems are more likely to supply public goods Signup and view all the answers

What motivates autocratic leaders to deliver more private goods to a small elite?

Their need to maintain power and loyalty from the elite Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of interest group pluralism on the provision of public goods?

It leads to more provision of public goods Signup and view all the answers

What is the net democracy effect on the provision of public goods?

Positive Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of the theoretical optimism regarding democracies' superior performance in public goods provision?

The median voter may not prefer more environmental quality Signup and view all the answers

What is the assumption about democratic leaders compared to autocratic leaders in terms of satisfying public demand?

Democratic leaders have more incentive to satisfy public demand Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a public good that a median voter in a democracy might prefer?

Public schools Signup and view all the answers

What distinction do the authors make in terms of democracy's effects?

Between democracy effects on policy outputs and policy outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Which group incurs smaller opportunity costs from more environmental protection in a democracy?

The median voter Signup and view all the answers

Why do small elites in non-democratic polities tend to prioritize private benefits over public goods?

Because they seek to increase their personal wealth Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of opportunity costs associated with public goods provision being concentrated on a small elite?

Under-provision of public goods Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between the provision of public goods in democracies and non-democracies?

The influence of the median voter or prevailing interests Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of the fact that climate change is a global problem requiring cooperation among countries?

That a global perspective is necessary to address the problem Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary determinant of the ratio of public goods to private goods provided by leaders?

Size of the winning coalition Signup and view all the answers

In what type of political system do leaders need to deliver a relatively large amount of private goods to a small number of essential supporters?

Autocracy Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of weaker loyalty to the incumbent in democracies?

Leaders provide more public goods Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the size of the winning coalition and the provision of public goods in democracies?

A large winning coalition leads to more public goods Signup and view all the answers

In what type of political system is the probability of defection from winning coalitions higher?

Democracy Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential consequence of special interest groups gaining prominence in mature democratic systems?

Shortfalls in improving environmental quality Signup and view all the answers

How do parliamentary regimes differ from presidential systems in terms of public goods provision?

Parliamentary regimes lead to increased spending on public goods Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of legislative coalitions in presidential systems?

Unstable and fractious Signup and view all the answers

Why might public goods provision suffer in mature democratic systems?

Due to the influence of special interest groups Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of special interest groups in mature democratic systems?

To appropriate larger shares of a society's production Signup and view all the answers

How do governing coalitions in parliamentary regimes impact public goods provision?

They increase spending on public goods Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of inefficient public goods provision in presidential systems?

Unstable legislative coalitions Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of distributional coalitions gaining prominence in mature democratic systems?