Compensatory Control Theory and Public Opinion on Nuclear Policy: Developing an Experimental Measure in an Applied Environmental Context

Abstract

In this study, we develop a novel measure of compensatory control to better understand how Compensatory Control Theory (CCT) impacts perceptions of government involvement in an environmental issue: the storage of spent nuclear fuel. Using a national survey, this study examines public opinion on nuclear waste storage, its risks, and potential forms of oversight, by creating four proxy measures of compensatory control. Those measures are used in a regression analysis to understand levels of participation and intervention in the siting of nuclear waste storage facilities. Results indicate mixed support for the measures and a clear connection to policy choices.

Technical issues and engagement processes: support for citizen and expert deliberation regarding the management of nuclear waste

“…This matches previous work by Trousset et al (2015) which stated that, "Fatalists are less likely to desire participating in public engagement activities because they believe they have little political efficacy and therefore no real ability to influence policy outcomes" (p. 51). Expert panels remove the responsibility of decision-making from the individual who may already feel a lack of agency and exclusion from political processes broadly (Anderson and Reedy, 2019). A person with high fatalism might feel more confident with a technical individual solving a technical problem for the community.…”

The internal dynamics of “scaling up” deliberative mini-publics

“…In the context of scaling-up mini-publics efficacy can have multiple dimensions including policy efficacy, which concerns how effective particular policy approaches might be, and political efficacy, which concerns how effective citizens are in influencing the political process. Both types of efficacy were present in both forums we examined, though it should be noted the OCFF faced a greater challenge in this domain because of its focus on environmental issues in a conservative state that is generally anti-regulation (Anderson & Reedy, 2019). In practical terms, the potential to successfully scale up a mini-public depends on how effective it is perceived as being by both participants and decision-makers.…”