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Thinking past, thinking future: An empirical test of the effects of retrospective assessment on future preferences

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  • Noblet, Caroline L.
  • Anderson, Mark W.
  • Teisl, Mario F.

Abstract

In recent work, we asserted that the largest group of stakeholders for sustainability science is future generations; yet intergenerational tradeoffs are often understudied. We proposed retrospective assessment as one potential means of clarifying what future preferences might be. Using a split-sample design we test the potential for retrospective assessment to influence citizens' preferences for future policy decision. We test the potential for retrospective assessment to yield increased or decreased support for policy. Our findings reveal context dependent public policy preferences where the presence of retrospective assessment significantly impacts citizens' preferences and outcomes appear strongly influenced by the attributes of the historical (or retrospective) scenario provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Noblet, Caroline L. & Anderson, Mark W. & Teisl, Mario F., 2015. "Thinking past, thinking future: An empirical test of the effects of retrospective assessment on future preferences," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 180-187.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:114:y:2015:i:c:p:180-187
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.04.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yoshinori Nakagawa & Tatsuyoshi Saijo, 2020. "Can Individuals Caring Little about Future Generations Serve As Their Representatives?," Working Papers SDES-2020-9, Kochi University of Technology, School of Economics and Management, revised Jul 2020.
    2. Carfora, Alfonso & Romano, Antonio A. & Ronghi, Monica & Scandurra, Giuseppe, 2017. "Renewable generation across Italian regions: Spillover effects and effectiveness of European Regional Fund," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 132-141.
    3. Nana Osei Bonsu & Jennifer TyreeHageman & Juliet Kele, 2020. "Beyond Agenda 2030: Future-Oriented Mechanisms in Localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Michalis Skourtos & Dimitris Damigos & Areti Kontogianni & Christos Tourkolias & Alistair Hunt, 2019. "Embedding Preference Uncertainty for Environmental Amenities in Climate Change Economic Assessments: A “Random” Step Forward," Economies, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-22, October.

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