State-Based Effects on Ideology:An Empirical Study of the Relationship of Political Polarization with State Energy Production Share, Per Capita Consumption and Population Density

摘要

This empirical study explores state-based, socio-economic dimensions of political polarization. The studytheorizes that, given their surroundings, residents of energy-producing states may be more sympathetic tothe energy industry – and/or have different perceptions on the durability or quality of their immediate naturalecological environment or the cost/benefit of fossil fuel dependency – than residents in more densely populated states. The study provides new insights into the personal incentives and cognitive biases underlying political environmentalism, and shows emerging evidence of the mitigating effects of broad-based national initiatives to promote renewable energy.