The Effect of Framing on Policy Support in the Context of Malaysia's Fuel Subsidy Reform
Fuel subsidy reform has been identified as a policy that is both necessary and urgently required to meet decarbonisation targets. However, implementing fuel subsidy reform is often challenged by lack of popular support. I study how framing can increase public support for fuel subsidy reform using a survey experiment in Malaysia (N=1,200), where a petrol subsidy reform is currently taking place, as well as interviews with policy professionals. I test redistributive and environmental goal framings to understand people’s distributive preferences that can influence support. Providing information on the redistributive purpose of the policy increases support by at least 10%, while the environmental purpose has limited effect. Although economic costs are salient, I find that communication and timing of implementation can bolster trust and support for fuel subsidy reform. The findings suggest that targeted communication by political and policy actors prior to, during, and after implementation of the fuel subsidy reform can increase public support.
Date: 14 August 2024, 13:00 (Wednesday, 17th week, Trinity 2024)
Venue: Dyson Perrins Building, off South Parks Road OX1 3QY
Venue Details: Desert Room, School of Geography and the Environment
Speaker: Preethika Bharadwaj (Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford)
Organising department: Environmental Change Institute
Organiser: Dr Avidesh Seenath (Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: avidesh.seenath@eci.ox.ac.uk
Host: Dr Avidesh Seenath (Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford)
Part of: ECM Brown Bag Seminar Series
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Avidesh Seenath