Abstract
When evaluating the various aspects of the welfare state, people assess some aspects more positively than others. Following
a multidimensional approach, this study systematically argues for a framework composed of seven dimensions of the welfare
state, which are subject to the opinions of the public. Using confirmatory factor analyses, this conceptual framework of multidimensional
welfare attitudes was tested on cross-national data from 22 countries participating in the 2008 European Social Survey. According
to our empirical analysis, attitudes towards the welfare state are multidimensional; in general, people are very positive
about the welfare state’s goals and range, while simultaneously being critical of its efficiency, effectiveness and policy
outcomes. We found that these dimensions relate to each other differently in different countries. Eastern/Southern Europeans
combine a positive attitude towards the goals and role of government with a more critical attitude towards the welfare state’s
efficiency and policy outcomes. In contrast, Western/Northern Europeans’ attitudes towards the various welfare state dimensions
are based partly on a fundamentally positive or negative stance towards the welfare state.
a multidimensional approach, this study systematically argues for a framework composed of seven dimensions of the welfare
state, which are subject to the opinions of the public. Using confirmatory factor analyses, this conceptual framework of multidimensional
welfare attitudes was tested on cross-national data from 22 countries participating in the 2008 European Social Survey. According
to our empirical analysis, attitudes towards the welfare state are multidimensional; in general, people are very positive
about the welfare state’s goals and range, while simultaneously being critical of its efficiency, effectiveness and policy
outcomes. We found that these dimensions relate to each other differently in different countries. Eastern/Southern Europeans
combine a positive attitude towards the goals and role of government with a more critical attitude towards the welfare state’s
efficiency and policy outcomes. In contrast, Western/Northern Europeans’ attitudes towards the various welfare state dimensions
are based partly on a fundamentally positive or negative stance towards the welfare state.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-21
- DOI 10.1007/s11205-012-0099-4
- Authors
- Femke Roosma, Department of Sociology, Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands
- John Gelissen, Department Methodology and Statistics, Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Wim van Oorschot, Department of Sociology, Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Journal Social Indicators Research
- Online ISSN 1573-0921
- Print ISSN 0303-8300