Are we gaining or losing ground? Dynamic perceptions of public opinion influence willingness to speak out and participate in land use conflicts

Using an Italian land use conflict on the building a high-speed railway (HSR) as case study, we analyzed how perceived changes in public opinion influence (a) people’s willingness to speak out, and (b) subsequently their intentions engage action (N = 311). Regardless of whether they were majority or minority side conflict, citizens’ out was positively associated with perceptions that position becoming more less widespread within opinion, especially among participants extreme attitudes toward HSR. Willingness about HSR mediated relation between increasing support discrepancy intention participate conflict. Strengths, limitations implications are discussed.