Understanding the linkages and possible causal relationships between the provision of basic public services, government performance and subjective wellbeing: the case of Mexico at the subnational level

Castellanos-Cereceda, Roberto

Abstract:

Based on empirical information, in this paper I discuss whether there is and what kind of correlation and possible causal relationship may exist between the provision of basic public services and people’s subjective wellbeing (SWB) in México. The main focus is on two basic public services, public basic education and public health provision, both in terms of its presence (provision) or absence and the perception of its quality. The empirical analysis will be based on the results of a National Values Survey of México of 2010, which offers, for the first time, detailed information regarding SWB (happiness and life satisfaction) and the people’s perception of the quality of basic education and public health at the subnational (state) level (i.e. for the 32 states of México). The results of the empirical analysis indicate that there is a strong association between the perceived quality of public services and life satisfaction, but a weak relationship between the perceived quality of the services and their actual results or impact in terms of students’ educational performance and life expectancy. Corruption (actual, not perceived) is another variable that plays an influential key role in the perceived quality satisfaction of basic education and health services.

Área(s) temática(s):

• 2. Gobierno, Instituciones y Comportamiento Políticos

Año:

2013

Tipo de publicación:

Paper/Extenso Congresos GIGAPP

Palabras clave:

subjective wellbeing, life satisfaction, public goods, public services

Organización:

ICPP. International Conference on Public Policy. Grenoble. IPSA-AISP.

Mes:

June