An Exploration of the Association Between Fuel Subsidies and Fuel Riots

Main author: McCulloch, Neil
Other authors: Natalini, Davide
Hossain, Naomi
Justino, Patricia
Format: Journal Article           
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id eprints-40442
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description 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.
format Journal Article
author McCulloch, Neil
author_facet McCulloch, Neil
Natalini, Davide
Hossain, Naomi
Justino, Patricia
authorStr McCulloch, Neil
author_letter McCulloch, Neil
author2 Natalini, Davide
Hossain, Naomi
Justino, Patricia
author2Str Natalini, Davide
Hossain, Naomi
Justino, Patricia
title An Exploration of the Association Between Fuel Subsidies and Fuel Riots
publisher Elsevier
publishDate 2022
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/40442/