A mixed-motive perspective on the economics versus environment debate

The debate over the relationship between economic development and environme ntal protection has polarized into the opposing perspectives of win-lose (d istributive bargaining) or win-win (integrative bargaining) outcomes, remin iscent of the debate that occurred within the negotiations field 15 years a go. The authors argue that such polarization is unnecessary and inaccurate Conflict between economics and the environment is neither purely win-win no r win-lose; bur rather: it is a mixed-motive situation. In presenting this argument, the authors draw from the negotiations and managerial decision-ma king literature. Furthermore, they consider some strategies for exposing mi xed-motive solutions to environmental problems in the future.