Search

Conspiracy Beliefs (CB) are a key vector of violent extremism, radicalism and unconventional political events. So far, social‐psychological research has extensively documented how cognitive, emotional and intergroup factors can promote CB. Evidence also suggests that adherence to CB moves along social class lines: low‐income and low‐education are among the most robust predictors of CB. Yet, the potential role of precarity—the subjective experience of permanent insecurity stemming from objective material strain—in shaping CB remains largely unexplored. In this paper, we propose for the first time a socio‐functional model of CB. We test the hypothesis that precarity could foster increased CB because it undermines trust in government and the broader political 'elites'. Data from the World Value Survey (n = 21,650; Study 1, electoral CB) and from representative samples from polls conducted in France (n = 1760, Study 2a, conspiracy mentality) and Italy (n = 2196, Study 2b, COVID‐19 CB), corroborate a mediation model whereby precarity is directly and indirectly associated with lower trust in authorities and higher CB. In addition, these links are robust to adjustment on income, self‐reported SES and education. Considering precarity allows for a truly social‐psychological understanding of CB as the by‐product of structural issues (e.g. growing inequalities). Results from our socio‐functional model suggest that implementing solutions at the socio‐economic level could prove efficient in fighting CB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper adopts a spatial econometric methodology to investigate the relationship between income and direct household emissions in Italy, as posited by the environmental Engel curve. The spatial approach is motivated by an expanding strand of studies that have detected significant spatial interactions in household‐polluting activities responsible for the generation of direct household emissions. Our results suggest the presence of significant spatial dependence for household emissions emerging among regions. At the same time, increases in the level of income do not seem to be coupled with a higher demand for environmental quality by Italian households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By exploiting the Roback model, we analyze the impact of agglomeration on both production and consumption. We postulate that the evaluation of urban amenities may vary across skill-groups. Empirically, we use the Bank of Italy's survey of household income and wealth (SHIW) dataset, and find evidence of a substantial urban rent premium, while we do not find support for an urban wage premium. We conclude that urban agglomeration is predominantly a source of positive amenities for residents and, in particular, highly-educated individuals seem to care about the welfare effects of agglomeration more than their less-educated counterparts. Survey results also suggest that urban skilled workers benefit from jobs of higher quality, and from shopping possibilities and cultural consumption opportunities, such as cinemas, theatres, and museums. Resumen Aprovechándonos del modelo de Roback, analizamos el impacto de la aglomeración tanto en la producción como en el consumo. Postulamos que la valoración de la oferta de servicios urbanos puede variar entre grupos con un grado diferente de cualificación. Empíricamente, utilizamos los datos de la encuesta del Banco de Italia sobre ingresos familiares y patrimonio (SHIW, siglas en inglés), y mientras que encontramos pruebas de una prima de renta urbana sustancial no las encontramos para una prima salarial urbana. Concluimos que la aglomeración urbana es predominantemente una fuente de ventajas positivas para los residentes y, en particular, parece que a las personas con un alto nivel educativo les importa más los efectos de bienestar de la aglomeración que a quienes poseen un nivel educativo más bajo. Los resultados de la encuesta sugieren también que la mano de obra urbana cualificada disfruta tanto de mejores puestos de trabajo como de una mayor oferta al ir de compras y oferta cultural en cuanto a cines, teatros y museos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]