Negativity bias in welfare policy feedback effects on mass publics

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Zhang, Youlang; Wang, Qiang; Zhao, Menghan
• 署名单位: Renmin University of China; Renmin University of China; Hainan University; Renmin University of China
• 刊物名称: GOVERNANCE-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF POLICY ADMINISTRATION AND INSTITUTIONS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0952-1895
• DOI: 10.1111/gove.12718
• 发表日期: 2023
• 关键词: GROUP ENGAGEMENT MODEL; performance information; procedural justice; social identity; blame avoidance; state; PARTICIPATION; BEHAVIOR; CHINA; satisfaction

摘要

Extant studies on policy feedback effects have examined how a welfare increase, rather than a decrease, might shape policy attitudes or political engagement. Nevertheless, exploring the effects of welfare decrease on the mass public is significant because of its increasingly crucial relevance to public policy practices worldwide. Using a unique longitudinal national panel survey dataset (2015-2017) related to China's Minimum Living Standard Guarantee Program, this study examines how welfare program benefits influence the policy perceptions and political participation of more than 10,000 economically disadvantaged respondents. A series of analyses showed that all else being equal, starting to receive program benefits in a year does not necessarily produce a positive effect on policy perceptions or on political participation. However, being deprived of program benefits in a year has a significantly negative effect on policy perceptions and political participation. These findings concur with the negativity bias proposed in the psychology literature and contribute to the understanding of the micro-level foundations of welfare policy feedback effects on the mass public.