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Public opinion about biofuels: The interplay between party identification and risk/benefit perception

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  • Fung, Timothy K.F.
  • Choi, Doo Hun
  • Scheufele, Dietram A.
  • Shaw, Bret R.

Abstract

Using an experiment embedded within a representative survey, this study examined the interactive effect of party identification and risk/benefit perception on public opinion about biofuels. Democrats tended to be more supportive of biofuels than Republicans. However, the effect of party identification on opinion about biofuels varied when individuals considered the risk/benefit of biofuels in different domains. Individuals who reported greater affiliation with the Democratic Party were likely to support funding biofuels research when primed with the economic risks or the social/ethical benefits of biofuels. For those who considered the social/ethical benefits of biofuels, more self-identified Democrats were likely to support biofuels production and use. However, more self-identified Democrats were less supportive of biofuels production and use when they considered the political risks of biofuels. Implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Fung, Timothy K.F. & Choi, Doo Hun & Scheufele, Dietram A. & Shaw, Bret R., 2014. "Public opinion about biofuels: The interplay between party identification and risk/benefit perception," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 344-355.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:73:y:2014:i:c:p:344-355
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2014.05.016
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steven Greene, 2004. "Social Identity Theory and Party Identification," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 85(1), pages 136-153, March.
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    1. Filimonau, Viachaslau & Högström, Michaela, 2017. "The attitudes of UK tourists to the use of biofuels in civil aviation: An exploratory study," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 84-94.
    2. Erika Allen Wolters & Brent S. Steel & Sydney Anderson & Heather Moline, 2021. "The Future of Food: Understanding Public Preferences for the Management of Agricultural Resources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Schillo, R. Sandra & Isabelle, Diane A. & Shakiba, Abtin, 2017. "Linking advanced biofuels policies with stakeholder interests: A method building on Quality Function Deployment," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 126-137.
    4. Benjamin A. Lyons, 2022. "Insidiously Trivial: Meme Format Reduces Perceived Influence and Intent to Debate Partisan Claims," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(3), pages 196-205.
    5. Goldfarb, Jillian L. & Kriner, Douglas L., 2021. "U.S. public support for biofuels tax credits: Cost frames, local fuel prices, and the moderating influence of partisanship," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).

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