Sociology

Ecologically unequal exchange, world polity, and biodiversity loss: A cross-national analysis of threatened mammals

Document Type

Article

Abstract

There have been a few cross-national studies published that examine the determinants of threatened mammal species. However, these studies neglect insights from both ecologically unequal exchange theory and world polity theory. We seek to address this gap in the literature using cross-national data for a sample of 74 nations to construct negative binomial regression models with the number of threatened mammal species as the dependent variable. In doing so, we find substantial support for ecologically unequal exchange theory that flows of primary sector exports from poor to rich nations are associated with higher levels of threatened mammals in poor nations. We also find support for world polity theory that environmental non-governmental organizations are associated with lower levels of threatened mammals in poor nations. We conclude with a discussion of the findings, some policy implications, and possible directions for future research. © The Author(s), 2009.

Publication Title

International Journal of Comparative Sociology

Publication Date

6-9-2009

Volume

50

Issue

3-4

First Page

285

Last Page

310

ISSN

0020-7152

DOI

10.1177/0020715209105143

Keywords

biodiversity loss, cross-national, unequal exchange

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