Analyzing Government Inaction on Environmental Policy

Evaluating Obstacles to Environmental Policy in Democracies

A democratic government proposes a new law to significantly increase the tax on gasoline. The stated goal is to reduce carbon emissions by discouraging driving and to use the new revenue to fund public transportation and renewable energy research. Based on common political pressures, which of the following best analyzes the primary sources of opposition this policy is likely to face?

Match each type of political pressure that can cause a democratic government to be reluctant to enact environmental policy with the scenario that best illustrates it.

Analyzing Political Pressures on Environmental Policy

A democratic government's decision to offer large consumer rebates for purchasing electric vehicles, while simultaneously refusing to implement a higher tax on gasoline, represents a policy strategy that effectively neutralizes the two primary political pressures hindering strong environmental action.

While pressure from powerful companies can stall environmental regulations targeting industry, a democratic government's reluctance to enact policies that directly limit consumer behavior, such as a tax on meat consumption, is primarily due to a political desire to avoid infringing on __________.

A democratic government is considering two different policies to address the environmental problem of plastic pollution.

• Policy X: A complete ban on the sale of single-use plastic water bottles, with significant fines for businesses that violate the ban.
• Policy Y: A new subsidy program that lowers the cost for companies to produce and sell water in biodegradable or recycled containers, combined with a public education campaign to encourage consumers to switch.

Based on the common political pressures that influence environmental policymaking in democracies, which policy is more likely to be successfully enacted and why?

Crafting a Politically Viable Environmental Policy

Evaluating Policy Trade-offs