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An exploration of public risk perception and governmental engagement of nuclear energy in India
Author(s) -
Ram Mohan M. P.,
Namboodhiry Sreenath K.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of public affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.221
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 1479-1854
pISSN - 1472-3891
DOI - 10.1002/pa.2086
Subject(s) - externality , perception , nuclear power , nuclear power plant , exploratory research , situated , public economics , business , exploratory factor analysis , public opinion , power (physics) , economics , political science , marketing , psychology , sociology , microeconomics , social science , politics , artificial intelligence , law , service (business) , ecology , computer science , biology , quantum mechanics , nuclear physics , physics , neuroscience
Public acceptance constitutes an important factor in successfully establishing and operating nuclear power plants. This paper explores public attitudes to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project commissioned in 2013 and situated in Southern India, through assessing the role of socio‐demographic factors, externalities, and social trust in determining the level of public acceptance. An exploratory survey ( n = 100) was carried out in two administrative units in the vicinity of the plant. The study reveals that acceptance of the plant is positively correlated with positive externalities and trust in governmental entities, whereas negative externalities and trust in antinuclear nongovernmental organizations and media are associated with negative public perception. The results show that governmental policies on nuclear power must support the effects of positive externalities and reduce the effects of negative externalities.