Location, Threat Perception, and Environmental Protection

21 Pages Posted: 13 Aug 2009 Last revised: 23 Sep 2009

See all articles by Mirya R. Holman

Mirya R. Holman

Tulane University - Department of Political Science

Travis Coan

Claremont Graduate University

Date Written: 2009

Abstract

Differences in voting patterns across the urban-rural divide are well established in the environmental voting literature. Several scholars suggest that this regularity is due to ideological differences across urban and rural areas, while others posit economic arguments centering on industrial composition and resource dependence. Although a wide-range of theories could reasonably explain this relationship, few scholars have rigorously examined the empirical merit of alternative perspectives at the individual level. Using data from the International Social Survey Programme’s (ISSP) 2000 module on environmental attitudes, we examine the relationship between location (i.e., urban or rural), environmental threat perceptions, and individual level environmental actions. The empirical results provide strong support for the mediating effects of environmental threat on the urban-rural distinction. Moreover, we find little support for alternative explanations of the urban-rural divide.

Keywords: environment, urban, rural, voting, policy preferences

Suggested Citation

Holman, Mirya R. and Coan, Travis, Location, Threat Perception, and Environmental Protection (2009). APSA 2009 Toronto Meeting Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1451840

Mirya R. Holman (Contact Author)

Tulane University - Department of Political Science ( email )

Tulane University
316 Norman Mayer Building
New Orleans, LA 70118
United States

Travis Coan

Claremont Graduate University ( email )

150 E. Tenth Street
Claremont, CA 91711
United States

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