This paper analyzes the dynamics of a small open economy characterized by two sectors (a farming sector and an industrial sector), heterogeneous agents (workers and entrepreneurs) and free inter-sectoral labor mobility. Labor productivity in the farming sector is negatively affected by environmental pollution generated by both sectors. Labor productivity in the industrial sector is positively affected by physical capital accumulated by entrepreneurs. We show that, as in the seminal contribution by Matsuyama (1992), low productivity of labor in the farming sector can be an engine of the industrialization process. However, in contrast with Matsuyama’s results, our analysis shows that the accumulation of pollution may fuel a self-enforcing process such that the expansion of the industrial sector generates a decrease in workers’ revenues.

Antoci, A., Galeotti, M., Sordi, S. (2016). Environmental pollution as engine of industrialization. QUADERNI DEL DIPARTIMENTO DI ECONOMIA POLITICA(725), 1-25.

Environmental pollution as engine of industrialization

SORDI, SERENA
2016-01-01

Abstract

This paper analyzes the dynamics of a small open economy characterized by two sectors (a farming sector and an industrial sector), heterogeneous agents (workers and entrepreneurs) and free inter-sectoral labor mobility. Labor productivity in the farming sector is negatively affected by environmental pollution generated by both sectors. Labor productivity in the industrial sector is positively affected by physical capital accumulated by entrepreneurs. We show that, as in the seminal contribution by Matsuyama (1992), low productivity of labor in the farming sector can be an engine of the industrialization process. However, in contrast with Matsuyama’s results, our analysis shows that the accumulation of pollution may fuel a self-enforcing process such that the expansion of the industrial sector generates a decrease in workers’ revenues.
2016
Antoci, A., Galeotti, M., Sordi, S. (2016). Environmental pollution as engine of industrialization. QUADERNI DEL DIPARTIMENTO DI ECONOMIA POLITICA(725), 1-25.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11365/993645