The Impact of State Capacity on Enforcement of Environmental Policies: The Case of China

Abstract

Does variation in state capacity predict compliance with government policies? This article tests the usefulness of state capacity as an analytic tool to evaluate environmental policy enforcement in China. The study employs two methodological approaches: first, a quantitative evaluation of capacity among 10 representative Chinese provinces and their compliance with environmental policies dictated by the Chinese central government and second, a qualitative evaluation of the potential causal relationship between state capacity and compliance. The results of these analyses illustrate the central role of state capacity in environmental policy compliance. The results also point to the importance of non-state-capacity factors. The accuracy of analyses relying on the state capacity model is improved if combined with assessments of the policies to be enforced and the commitment of the government responsible for their enforcement.