An exploration of the association between fuel subsidies and fuel riots

B-Tier
Journal: World Development
Year: 2022
Volume: 157
Issue: C

Authors (4)

McCulloch, Neil (not in RePEc) Natalini, Davide (not in RePEc) Hossain, Naomi (not in RePEc) Justino, Patricia (University of Sussex)

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Between 2005 and 2018, 41 countries had at least one riot directly associated with popular demand for fuel. We make use of a new international dataset on fuel riots to explore the effects of fuel prices and price regimes on fuel riots. In line with prior expectations, we find that large domestic fuel price shocks - often linked to international price shocks - are a key driver of riots. In addition, we report a novel result: fuel riots are closely associated with domestic price regimes. Countries that maintain fixed price regimes - notably net energy exporters - tend to have large fuel subsidies. When such subsidies become unsustainable, domestic price adjustments are large, often leading to riots.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:wdevel:v:157:y:2022:i:c:s0305750x22001255
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25