Attitudes to a Nuclear Waste Repository by Politicians and the Public. Lennart Sjöberg, Center for Risk Research, Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden
The paper presents results from a survey of the public in Sweden and of members of local health and environment boards in 27 Swedish communities. Several types of radiation associated technologies, and other technologies, were covered, including a local high-level nuclear waste repository. Results will be presented which allow for a comparison of the attitudes of the public and the politicians with regard to a wide range of technologies, as well as their views regarding risk mitigation, and their perception of the risk as seen by others (politicians and the public). If politicians base their priorities on the way they perceive the public's concern, it is of obvious importance to inquire whether they do in fact correctly assess those concerns. The paper will answer that question, and draw conclusions from it regarding the way of reaching democratic efficiency in decision making with regard to such risk matters as the siting of nuclear waste repositories.