ABSTRACT
Is there a systematic variation in air pollution levels across different countries? If so, how can this variation be explained? An empirical, comparative framework consisting of 18 industrialised democracies which are examined at two time periods (1980 and 1990) will be employed to explain country-specific variations of air pollution levels as a result of differences in the way in which various countries convert private desires into actual public policies. Data collected by the OECD on country-specific, man-made emissions1 provide the empirical basis for systematic comparisons of similarities and differences in air pollution levels.
