The Relationship between Democracy and Environmental Degradation: Panel Data Analysis on E-20 Countries

Öz

Environmental degradation occurs as an important problem that makes its impact felt day by day and affects all of humanity. Increased carbon emissions threaten human life and environmental sustainability. Factors such as industrialization, deforestation, unconscious and excessive use of resources increase environmental degradation. It is envisaged that environmental degradation will be combated in a democratic management approach where strong institutional structures, good governance and freedom of association exist. A democratic system in which freedom of information is established will also increase the environmental awareness of individuals. Increasing environmental awareness will increase environmental quality and reduce environmental degradation. It is aimed in this study to look into the relationship between democracy and environmental degradation. In accordance with the stated purpose, panel data analysis was carried out using data covering the period 2006-2019 in the E-20 countries. The Democracy Index published by The Economist was used as an indicator of democracy, while carbon emissions (metric tons per capita) were used as an indicator of environmental degradation. In addition, control variables such as GDP per capita, foreign direct investments, the share of the urban population in the total population and the ratio of trade openness were included in the study. It has been found as a result of the analysis that environmental degradation decreases as the level of democratization increases in the E-20 countries.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• democracy
• environmental degradation
• panel data analysis
• E-20 countries

Demokrasi ve Çevresel Bozulma İlişkisi: E-20 Ülkeleri Üzerine Panel Veri Analizi

Öz

Çevresel bozulma, günden güne etkisini hissettiren ve tüm insanlığı etkileyen önemli bir problem olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Artan karbon salınımı, insan hayatını ve çevresel sürdürülebilirliği tehdit etmektedir. Sanayileşme, ormansızlaşma, kaynakların bilinçsizce ve aşırı kullanımı gibi faktörler çevresel bozulmayı artırmaktadır. Güçlü kurumsal yapıların, iyi yönetişimin ve örgütlenme özgürlüğünün mevcut olduğu demokratik bir yönetim anlayışında çevresel bozulma ile mücadele edileceği öngörülmektedir. Haber alma özgürlüğünün tesis edildiği demokratik bir sistem, aynı zamanda bireylerin çevresel farkındalıklarını da artıracaktır. Çevresel farkındalıkların artması, çevre kalitesinin artmasını sağlayacak ve çevresel bozulmayı azaltacaktır. Bu çalışmada demokrasi ve çevresel bozulma arasındaki ilişkinin araştırılması amaçlanmaktadır. Belirtilen amaç doğrultusunda E-20 ülkelerinde 2006-2019 dönemini kapsayan veriler kullanılarak panel veri analizi yapılmıştır. Demokrasi göstergesi olarak The Economist tarafından yayınlanan Demokrasi Endeksi, çevresel bozulma göstergesi olarak ise karbon emisyonu (kişi başına metrik ton) kullanılmıştır. Ayrıca çalışmaya kişi başına düşen GSYİH, doğrudan yabancı yatırımlar, kentsel nüfusun toplam nüfus içindeki payı ve ticari açıklık oranı gibi kontrol değişkenleri dahil edilmiştir. Yapılan analiz neticesinde E-20 ülkelerinde demokratikleşme düzeyi arttıkça çevresel bozulmanın azaldığı bulgusuna ulaşılmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• demokrasi
• çevresel bozulma
• panel veri analizi
• E-20 ülkeleri

Kaynakça

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