What is good government? comparing public values across three Confucian societies

What should a good government do? Answers to this question vary across institutional and cultural contexts, reflecting individuals’ underlying public values. This study examines how future public administrators – students majoring in public administration – perceive public values associated with a good government in China, Singapore, and Taiwan, three Confucian societies. Drawing on survey data from first-year public administration students and analysing differences using ANOVA and ANCOVA, we find that students prioritise government functions differently, with public sentiment strongly shaping their expectations. Certain societal dimensions – such as efficiency in China, public security in Singapore, and human rights in Taiwan – are highly prioritised, whereas others – such as equity in China, happiness in Singapore, and public security in Taiwan – receive relatively limited attention. This study contributes to comparative public administration by moving beyond East – West comparison and focusing on variations within Confucian societies. It has implications for public administration scholars and educators for a more balanced perspective about public values.