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The Influence of Specific Risk Perceptions on Public Policy Support

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  • James W. Stoutenborough
  • Arnold Vedlitz
  • Xinsheng Liu

Abstract

A great deal of research has been dedicated to understanding the relationship of public preferences to public policy. Much of this literature, though, does not account for risk perception, an important characteristic that affects individuals’ preferences. In terms of policy, those who perceive high risk in association with a particular issue should be more likely to oppose policies that would increase that risk, and, conversely, support policies that would decrease this risk. In this article, we examine the role of specific risk perceptions related to nuclear, coal, and renewable sources of energy on related policy preferences. Controlling for the influence of knowledge and several specific attitudinal indicators, we find that risk perceptions are strong predictors of energy policy preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • James W. Stoutenborough & Arnold Vedlitz & Xinsheng Liu, 2015. "The Influence of Specific Risk Perceptions on Public Policy Support," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 658(1), pages 102-120, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:658:y:2015:i:1:p:102-120
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716214556472
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Page, Benjamin I. & Shapiro, Robert Y., 1983. "Effects of Public Opinion on Policy," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 77(1), pages 175-190, March.
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    3. James W. Stoutenborough & Rebecca Bromley-Trujillo & Arnold Vedlitz, 2014. "Public Support for Climate Change Policy: Consistency in the Influence of Values and Attitudes Over Time and Across Specific Policy Alternatives," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 31(6), pages 555-583, November.
    4. Sears, David O. & Lau, Richard R. & Tyler, Tom R. & Allen, Harris M., 1980. "Self-Interest vs. Symbolic Politics in Policy Attitudes and Presidential Voting," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 74(3), pages 670-684, September.
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    6. Jeryl L. Mumpower & Liu Shi & James W. Stoutenborough & Arnold Vedlitz, 2013. "Psychometric and Demographic Predictors of the Perceived Risk of Terrorist Threats and the Willingness to Pay for Terrorism Risk Management Programs," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(10), pages 1802-1811, October.
    7. Stoutenborough, James W. & Sturgess, Shelbi G. & Vedlitz, Arnold, 2013. "Knowledge, risk, and policy support: Public perceptions of nuclear power," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 176-184.
    8. Bies Angela L. & Lee Deanna G. & Lindsey Charles & Stoutenborough James W. & Vedlitz Arnold, 2013. "Citizens, Nonprofits and Climate Change Policy," Nonprofit Policy Forum, De Gruyter, vol. 4(1), pages 5-28, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lee, Juyong & Reiner, David M., 2023. "Determinants of public preferences on low-carbon energy sources: Evidence from the United Kingdom," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).

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