Political and Economic Determinants of Individuals» Support for Environmental Spending

The ability of a government to pursue policy initiatives depends substantially upon trends in public opinion. This research examines public attitudes toward environmental spending from 1974 to 1991. Using individual-level data over seventeen years obtained from the US National Opinion Research Center, we find evidence that support for enhanced environmental funding is influenced by an array of demographic and attitudinal factors including age, education, gender, ideology, party affiliation and urbanization. In particular, we also uncover evidence that personal and macro-level economic conditions play a role in conditioning the acceptance by individuals of increased environmental funding. At the personal level, work status and income are significant indicators of individuals» attitudes. Our results imply that macroeconomic conditions are also influential. While we find indications of increasing support for environmental funding independent of demographic, attitudinal and economic factors, our research suggests that policy-makers should be aware of a variety of socioeconomic influences on public opinion.