Sociology

Do commercial debt-for-nature swaps matter for forests? A cross-national test of world polity theory

Document Type

Article

Abstract

We present cross-national models of forest loss from 1990-2005 that examine the impact of commercial debt-for-nature swaps. In doing so, we find substantial support for world polity theory that poor nations that implement these swaps tend to have lower rates of deforestation than poor nations that do not implement these swaps. We also find support for another aspect of world polity theory-poor nations with higher levels of international nongovernmental organizations have lower rates of forest loss. A number of other factors, including structural adjustment, debt service, democracy, population growth, and domestic economic activity, also predict deforestation. We conclude by discussing the findings, theoretical implications, methodological implications, policy suggestions, and possible directions for future research. © 2011 Eastern Sociological Society.

Publication Title

Sociological Forum

Publication Date

6-2011

Volume

26

Issue

2

First Page

381

Last Page

410

ISSN

0884-8971

DOI

10.1111/j.1573-7861.2011.01245.x

Keywords

debt-for-nature swaps, deforestation, dependency theory, environment, poverty, world polity theory

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