A Mixed-Motive Perspective on the Economic Environment Debate

What is the relationship between economic development and environmental protection? Mirroring the negotiations field of fifteen years ago, the debate over this question has polarized into the opposing perspectives of win-lose (distributive bargaining) or win-win (integrative bargaining) outcomes. We argue that such polarization is both unnecessary and inaccurate. Conflict between economics and the environment is, at its core, what we will describe as a mixed-motive situation. In presenting this argument, we will draw from the negotiations and managerial decision-making literature to offer a mixed-motive perspective on the economics versus environment debate. Further, we will consider existing individual and institutional barriers to realizing the mixed-motive perspective and conclude with some strategies for overcoming them.