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Public Sector Employment, Quality of Government, and Well-Being: A Global Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Davidson

    (University of Amsterdam)

  • Alexander Pacek

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Benjamin Radcliff

    (University of Notre Dame)

Abstract

While a growing literature within the study of subjective well-being demonstrates the impact of socio-political factors on subjective well-being, scholars have conspicuously failed to consider the role of the size and scope of government as determinants of well-being. Where such studies exist, the focus is largely on the advanced industrial democracies of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development. In this study, we examine the size of the public sector as a determinant of cross-national variation in life satisfaction across a worldwide sample. Our findings strongly suggest that as the public sector grows, subjective well-being increases as well, conditional on the extent of quality of government. Using cross-sectional data on 84 countries, we show this relationship has an independent and separable impact from other economic and political factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Davidson & Alexander Pacek & Benjamin Radcliff, 2021. "Public Sector Employment, Quality of Government, and Well-Being: A Global Analysis," International Area Studies Review, Center for International Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, vol. 24(3), pages 193-204, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:intare:v:24:y:2021:i:3:p:193-204
    DOI: 10.1177/22338659211011747
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    References listed on IDEAS

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