Debt Service, Structural Adjustment Lending, and Deforestation: Reconsidering the Cross-National Evidence

John Shandra, Stony Brook University, State University of New York (SUNY)
Bruce London, Clark University

We present cross-national models that examine the determinants of deforestation from 1990 to 2005. We test dependency theory hypotheses that both debt service and structural adjustment affect forests. Accordingly, we find substantial support for this theoretical perspective becasue the results suggest both factors increase deforestation. We also find support for world polity theory that international non-governmental organizations decrease deforestation. We conclude with a brief discussion of the findings, policy implications, and possible directions for future research.