Water pollution control in democratic societies: a cross-national analysis of sources of public beliefs in Japan and in the United States.

Abstract

Postindustrial society seems to bring with it an inevitable heightening of official and public concern with environmental pollution. In light of this fact it becomes important to understand the dynamics by which public opinion is formulated in this area of public policy. What factors are associated with citizens placing concern for environmental pollution above other public policy concernsq What individual characteristics are associ- ated with the development of the view that government ought to take direct action to prevent or deal with environmental pollutionq Are such factors common to postindustrial democratic societies generallyq The study reported here identifies the similarities and differences in the patterns and correlates of pollution relevant beliefs and behavior in Japan (in the cities of Llishima, Fuji and Numazu in Shizuoka Prefecture] and the United States (Spokane City and County, Washington State). A comparative study of pollution policy can be especially instructive inasmuch as unique cultural, economic, historical and social patterns may generate distinctive citizen conceptions of desired policy outcomes and means to achieve them. Copyright 1985 by The Policy Studies Organization.