Abstract
This study seeks to find out how social welfare policy preferences have changed over time and what factors account for those preferences in Latvia. The author analyses ISSP survey data gathered in 1996, 2007 and 2016. The data analysis shows that most Latvians still support government interventions in providing social welfare. However, economic factors like material wellbeing and self-interest have decreased the overall support for social welfare policies during the last 20 years. The article provides a long-term perspective missing in previous studies on social welfare policy preferences in Eastern Europe.
Highlights
The focus of this article is individual level preferences towards various social welfare policies in Latvia
The article provides a long term perspective missing in previous studies on social welfare policy preferences in Eastern Europe
Survey data analysed in this article were gathered in 1996, 2007 and 2016 in Latvia in the framework of the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP)
Summary
The focus of this article is individual level preferences towards various social welfare policies in Latvia. Blekesaune and Quadagno (2003) analyse ISSP (International Social Survey Programme) survey data from 24 nations gathered from 1995 to 1997. They argue that both national and individual level variables shape people’s attitudes towards welfare policies. Women are more inclined to support welfare programs because they have certain values and expectations towards state, i.e. ideological preferences When measuring the impact of national level variables, Blekesaune and Quadagno find out that nations with a more distinct egalitarian ideology and high unemployment tend to be more positive towards welfare policies (Blekesaune & Quadagno, 2003, p. 424)
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