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This article undertakes a comparative analysis of the respective effects of majority and proportional representation electoral systems on tax policies designed to reduce pollution. The following findings were obtained: in a majority electoral system, environmental regulation is extreme with very low or high taxes compared to a socially optimal policy; in a proportional representation system, environmental policy is moderate (taxes are moderate compared to taxes implemented in a majority system); and environmental policy in proportional representation systems more closely resembles a socially optimal policy. Electoral institutions account for these findings, which are due to the number of effective parties and legislative negotiation in Congress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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For the Chinese, man is an integral part of the cosmos and for this reason it is very important to emphasise the harmony which must exist between human beings and nature. However, in order to survive, the Chinese have altered the environment, putting enormous pressure on natural resources. To see the extraordinary results of economic growth in the last few years is to see the effects it has had on the environment. It also raises questions about the government's capacity and willingness to take effective action to slow down the impacts which this development has had on nature [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]