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Trade Liberalization and the Environment: A Study of NAFTA's Impact in El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico

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dc.contributor.authorHollinger, Keith H.en
dc.contributor.committeechairRich, Richard C.en
dc.contributor.committeememberWeisband, Edwarden
dc.contributor.committeememberNelson, Scott G.en
dc.contributor.departmentPolitical Scienceen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:38:22Zen
dc.date.adate2007-07-31en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:38:22Zen
dc.date.issued2007-04-03en
dc.date.rdate2007-07-31en
dc.date.sdate2007-05-23en
dc.description.abstractThis thesis seeks to promote a clearer understanding of relationships between trade liberalization and environmental quality in a free trade zone along an international border, between countries unevenly matched in development and infrastructure. Specifically, it examines whether theories of environmental degradation provide appropriate models for explaining the impact of NAFTA on the environment in the Paso del Norte. The relationship between trade liberalization and environmental quality is examined through an analysis of environmental indicators in the decade preceding and following NAFTA. Finally, the role of environmental governance is addressed, especially the intricacies involved in multi-jurisdictional governance of the environment. The research indicates that trade liberalization is not necessarily environmentally harmful. The data suggest that NAFTA had little to no direct negative impact on the region's environmental condition, but they also do not provide evidence that NAFTA improved the environment. One factor that could have helped to limit its effects may be local, interstate, and international initiatives that improved the health of the ecosystem along the border before NAFTA was even conceived. Another factor is the environmental governance in place before and after NAFTA. Thus, it may be beneficial for trade liberalization agreements to address environmental concerns as integral parts of the negotiations, and to set requirements for meeting infrastructure demands, as the agreements are implemented. Furthermore, it is important that international environmental institutions established to monitor environmental cooperation be more closely associated with the trade cooperation organizations and be given the authority needed to complete their directives more effectively.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Artsen
dc.identifier.otheretd-05232007-124821en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05232007-124821/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/33159en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartHollingerETD.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectEnvironmental Impacten
dc.subjectEnvironmental Governanceen
dc.subjectEnvironmental Policyen
dc.subjectMexicoen
dc.subjectEl Pasoen
dc.subjectJuarezen
dc.subjectU.S./Mexico Borderen
dc.subjectPaso Del Norteen
dc.subjectNAFTAen
dc.subjectTrade Liberalizationen
dc.subjectTexasen
dc.titleTrade Liberalization and the Environment: A Study of NAFTA's Impact in El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexicoen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplinePolitical Scienceen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Artsen

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