The divergent social attitudes toward nuclear energy across Europe help explain why states have pursued radically different nuclear policies

Policies toward nuclear energy vary considerably between European states, but what factors explain why different countries adopt different approaches? Using Eurobarometer data, Fabio Franchino writes on the social bases underpinning nuclear energy policies. He shows that elements such as ideology and the proximity of individuals to power plants have different effects on nuclear attitudes across Europe, which may provide an explanation for the varied policy trajectories of European countries.