Analysis of the determinants of support and participation in carbon tax riots in France

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examines the drivers of support for and participation in the Yellow Vests movement in France, which emerged in response to creating a carbon tax on fuel. Using a representative survey of more than 1,000 respondents in French cities, we find that factors related to social origin and ideology explain support for the movement. However, we also show that satisfaction with public services reduces interest in this movement. This finding underscores the role of public services in shaping the acceptability of policies based on taxes and providing a sense of purpose for ecological taxation. Our study contributes to the literature on the intersection of environmental policies, public services, and social mobilization.