Dartmouth Events

Corporate Political Influence and the Chinese Air Pollution Challenge

Join Prof. Deborah Seligsohn as she discusses how corporate governance and competition policy can be a useful tool for improving environmental compliance.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Life Sciences Center - Rm 200
Intended Audience(s): Public
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Corporate Political Influence and the Chinese Air Pollution Challenge

Tuesday, October 16th
5:00pm - 6:00pm
Life Sciences Center - Rm 200

Overall air quality in China has improved consistently since 2011 (Krotkov et al 2015). A little-studied aspect of pollution control in China is that the source of air pollution is dominated by heavy industry and that improvements have varied by sector. In this talk I will assess how corporate governance and competition policy can be a useful tool for improving environmental compliance. Through case studies using both large N statistical analysis and in-depth interviews, I provide an empirical story that substantiates that as energy sectors have become more competitive, the government is able to impose stricter air quality standards and to enforce them more effectively. Monopolies avoid regulation through their control of information and of market supply of an essential commodity. By contrast, if the government breaks the monopoly, suppliers compete not just to sell product but on compliance in order to gain permits and other government-issued advantages. 

 

About Deborah Seligsohn:

Deborah Seligsohn is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Villanova University.  Her research focuses on Chinese politics and on energy and environmental politics in China and India. Prior to receiving her PhD in Political Science and International Affairs from the University of California San Diego in 2018 she worked in both the NGO and government sectors on energy, climate and the environment. From 2007 to 2012 she was based in Beijing as the Principal Advisor to the World Resources Institute’s China Energy and Climate Program. She also had over 20 years’ experience in the United States Department of State, working on energy and environment issues in China, India, Nepal and New Zealand. Her most recent position was as Environment, Science, Technology and Health Counselor in Beijing, 2003-2007.

 

For more information, contact:
Irving Institute

Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.