Savings in public services after the crisis : a multilevel analysis of public preferences in the EU-27
By: WALLE VAN DE, Steven
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Contributor(s): JILKE, Sebastian.
Material type: 
ArticlePublisher: Los Angeles : IIAS, September 2014International Review of Administrative Sciences 80, 3, p. 597-618Abstract: Policy responses to the global financial crisis can be divided into pro- and counter-cyclical approaches. The former advocates reducing public spending in times of financial constraints. The latter approach advocates public spending to boost the economy. Using public opinion (N = 23,652) data from 27 EU member countries, we empirically test a model for citizen preferences for reducing spending in public services versus government investment in measures to boost the economy as a response to the financial crisis. We look at individual- and country-level determinants of attitudes to savings in public services, and concentrate on four groups of explanations: political disaffection, ideology, self-interest, and macro-economic conditions. It was found that political disaffection and the respondents ideological orientation both have effects on preferences, as well as whether one experiences economic strain or receives welfare services. Macro-economic conditions, such as a countrys government deficit level, public debt or public expenditure have, surprisingly, no effect on citizens financial policy preferences. We discuss the implications of our results for public administration theory and practice.
Policy responses to the global financial crisis can be divided into pro- and counter-cyclical approaches. The former advocates reducing public spending in times of financial constraints. The latter approach advocates public spending to boost the economy. Using public opinion (N = 23,652) data from 27 EU member countries, we empirically test a model for citizen preferences for reducing spending in public services versus government investment in measures to boost the economy as a response to the financial crisis. We look at individual- and country-level determinants of attitudes to savings in public services, and concentrate on four groups of explanations: political disaffection, ideology, self-interest, and macro-economic conditions. It was found that political disaffection and the respondents ideological orientation both have effects on preferences, as well as whether one experiences economic strain or receives welfare services. Macro-economic conditions, such as a countrys government deficit level, public debt or public expenditure have, surprisingly, no effect on citizens financial policy preferences. We discuss the implications of our results for public administration theory and practice.
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