Business and Economics Journal

State-Based Effects on Ideology:An Empirical Study of the Relationship of Political Polarization with State Energy Production Share, Per Capita Consumption and Population Density

Abstract

This empirical study explores state-based, socio-economic dimensions of political polarization. The study
theorizes that, given their surroundings, residents of energy-producing states may be more sympathetic to
the energy industry – and/or have different perceptions on the durability or quality of their immediate natural
ecological environment or the cost/benefit of fossil fuel dependency – than residents in more densely populated states. The study provides new insights into the personal incentives and cognitive biases underlying political environmentalism, and shows emerging evidence of the mitigating effects of broad-based national initiatives to promote renewable energy.