Event Information
The next EEU Seminar will be held on Monday the 21th of October at 12:10 – 13:00 in B44.
The seminar will be held by our own Professor Thomas Sterner and he will be presenting on the topic of: The political and socio-economic impacts of energy price shocks on populism in Germany.
Title: The times they are a-changin’: How Political Attitudes Change with Energy Prices - Evidence from Germany.
Summary: This study investigates the causal relationship between rising energy prices and shifts in political attitudes in Germany, particularly focusing on the increased support for the populist right-wing party, AfD. Utilizing panel data from 2,000 German households collected between January 2023 and February 2024, the research explores how exogenous energy price shocks—primarily resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine—have impacted political preferences. The analysis reveals that households experiencing significant increases in energy costs are more likely to support the AfD. Additionally, these households demonstrate reduced support for liberal democracy and increased xenophobic tendencies, especially among individuals who view government spending as wasteful. The findings underscore the socio-political risks tied to rising energy costs and highlight the need for policymakers to consider these effects when implementing price-based climate policies.
Hope to see you there!