Stability analysis of an effluent charge and the ‘polluters pay’ principle

In a pure exchange economy with two private commodities and one collective externality, a non-tâtonnement process is formulated, which yields a rule for adjusting an effluent charge of the Pigovian type from the level zero (at a laissez-faire equilibrium) up to a level that sustains an optimum. Besides convergence (Theorem 3) and monotonous decrease of the externality (Theorem 2) along a continuous path of price equilibria (Theorem 1), the paper analyses the distributional implications of alternative redistribution schemes for the proceeds of the charge. Various interpretations of the ‘polluters pay’ principle are discussed in conjunction with property rights.