Pollution matters: The political cost of information disclosure

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Chen, Xing; Shen, Xiaoxiao; Zhuge, Andong
• 署名单位: Fudan University; Yale University; Fudan University
• 刊物名称: GOVERNANCE-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF POLICY ADMINISTRATION AND INSTITUTIONS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0952-1895
• DOI: 10.1111/gove.12847
• 发表日期: 2024
• 关键词: air-pollution; decision-making; act 2000; GOVERNMENT; trust; TRANSPARENCY; ACCOUNTABILITY; confidence; exposure; support

摘要

This study firstly examines the causal effect of environmental information disclosure on political trust and then provides a novel psychological mechanism through which the effect occurred. Exploiting the staggered rolled-out implementation of a national program in China that provides real-time air-pollution information to the public, we find that air pollution adversely moderates the positive effect of information disclosure on political trust. Notably and surprisingly, this adverse moderation is concentrated in less polluted areas, where the lack of visible smog led citizens to remain unaware of the actual pollution levels until information is disclosed. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the adverse moderation is more pronounced among urban residents using Internet, an important source for pollution information. Furthermore, we establish that the causal effect operates through the channels of citizens' mental well-being, demonstrated by a large and statistically significant increase in the risk of mild depression due to heightened concern over pollution.