The sociology of unequal exchange in ecological context: A panel study of lower-income countries, 1975-2000

Abstract

The structural theory of ecologically unequal exchange posits that through the vertical flow of exports from lower-income countries, the stratified world economy enables higher-income countries to misappropriate global environmental space. Tied to their unsustainable consumption levels, this misappropriation by higher-income countries leads to the suppression of resource consumption in lower-income countries, well below globally sustainable thresholds, which negatively impacts the well-being of domestic populations. To evaluate key aspects of the theory, I test the hypothesis that lower-income countries with elevated levels of exports sent to higher-income countries exhibit lower consumption-based environmental demand, measured as per-capita ecological footprints. Findings for generalized least squares panel regression analyses of 66 lower-income countries from 1975 to 2000 confirm the hypothesis, providing support for the theory. Additional results indicate that the strength of the hypothesized relationship increased in magnitude during the 25-year period. These findings hold, net of the effects of economic development, ecological conditions, and other structural factors. © 2009 Eastern Sociological Society.