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The effects of information asymmetry and government size on happiness: A case study from Japan

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  • Yamamura, Eiji

Abstract

This paper uses individual-level data from Japan (2003) to examine the effects of government size and the disclosure of official government information on happiness. The major findings are as follows. (1) Disclosure of official information is positively associated with the happiness of workers, but not with that of non-workers. (2) Government size has a positive effect on the happiness of non-workers, but not with that of workers. Therefore, information asymmetry between government and citizens is thought to reduce the happiness of those who bear the cost of public service but does not affect the happiness of public service beneficiaries.

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  • Yamamura, Eiji, 2010. "The effects of information asymmetry and government size on happiness: A case study from Japan," MPRA Paper 27182, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:27182
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    Cited by:

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    3. Hassan Gholipour Fereidouni & Youhanna Najdi & Reza Ekhtiari Amiri, 2013. "Do governance factors matter for happiness in the MENA region?," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 40(12), pages 1028 - 1040, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Life satisfaction; Government size; Trust; Growth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H50 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - General
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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