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The Determinants of Salience of Energy Issues

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  • William R. Lowry
  • Mark Joslyn

Abstract

Studies show that salience of an issue influences the behavior of political elites, policy responses, and the attitudes of the public. Yet while the effects of salience are given considerable attention, less is known about the factors that produce salience. Specifically, what are the determinants of an issue's salience? We examine salience of energy issues in the United States over the past six decades and make two contributions. First, we provide systematic explanations of issue salience. Second, contrary to popular conceptions that energy salience is driven entirely by gasoline prices, or some scholarly analyses that salience depends on crises, we argue that other factors increase salience. Specifically, we find that political actors and activities increase energy salience, even after controlling for higher gas prices and shocks. This is an important finding; political dynamics enhance salience. Meaningful political action, therefore, driven by enhanced salience, is not entirely dependent on market forces or unplanned events.

Suggested Citation

  • William R. Lowry & Mark Joslyn, 2014. "The Determinants of Salience of Energy Issues," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 31(3), pages 153-172, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revpol:v:31:y:2014:i:3:p:153-172
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/ropr.12069
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    Cited by:

    1. Latré, Edwin & Perko, Tanja & Thijssen, Peter, 2017. "Public opinion change after the Fukushima nuclear accident: The role of national context revisited," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 124-133.
    2. Grossman, Peter Z., 2015. "Energy shocks, crises and the policy process: A review of theory and application," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 56-69.

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