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The effect of framing on policy support: Experimental evidence from urban transport policies

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  • Johanna Arlinghaus
  • Théo Konc
  • Linus Mattauch
  • Stephan Sommer

Abstract

Do citizens support policy instruments because they appreciate their effects or because they are convinced by their objectives? We administered a large-scale representative survey with randomised video treatments to test how different policy frames - time savings, health and environment - affect citizens' attitudes towards urban tolls in two large European metropolitan areas, Berlin-Brandenburg and Paris-Ile de France. Presenting urban tolls as a solution to air pollution increases support by up to 11.4 percentage points, presenting them as a climate change or congestion relief measure increases support by 7.1 and 6.5 percentage points, respectively. We demonstrate via a causal mediation analysis that the observed changes in policy support are mainly framing effects; changes in beliefs about policy effects play a secondary role. Thus, we uncover a new mechanism shaping public opinion on economic policies: the stated objectives of an identical policy design can shape citizens' views in distinct ways.

Suggested Citation

  • Johanna Arlinghaus & Théo Konc & Linus Mattauch & Stephan Sommer, 2025. "The effect of framing on policy support: Experimental evidence from urban transport policies," Berlin School of Economics Discussion Papers 0077, Berlin School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdp:dpaper:0077
    DOI: 10.48462/opus4-5964
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