DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31063/2073-6517/2021.18-4.4
For citation:
Frolova, E. A. & Radionova, E. А. Cross-National Comparative Assessment of Efficiency of Public Governance. Zhurnal Economicheskoj Teorii [Russian Journal of Economic Theory], 18(4), 526-546. https://doi.org/10.31063/2073-6517/2021.18-4.4
Abstract:
The article describes a comprehensive approach to the evaluation of public governance efficiency. The proposed methodology is based on the composite index, encompassing indicators that correspond to the key areas of public governance — economic, social, political, and ideological. Conceptually, the study relies on institutional studies, the theory of social market economy, and the theory of welfare state.
The aim of the study is to develop and test a methodology that would be consistent with a broader understand of social well-being encompassing material and non-material factors. The methodology was tested by using cross-national comparison of public governance efficiency. The sample covers 20 countries (including Russia) from 2008 to 2018. Social research data were the primary information source, which allowed us to overcome the narrow understanding of welfare and reject the neoclassical homo economicus model.
The countries are clustered according to the two parameters: the efficiency index and the difference between the maximum and minimum values of aggregated indicators constituting the composite index. We found an inverse U-shaped relationship between the selected criteria, which may be explained by institutional differences between the given countries.
The results were compared with the classification of welfare state regimes. It was found that the social democratic economic regime holds significant potential. The findings in this study seem to suggest several lines for further research, for example, the proposed methodology may be tested on a larger sample for a longer period.
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