Government Responsiveness Research Articles

How institutionalized feedback works: Online citizen complaints and local government responsiveness in China

AbstractThe prevailing view that authoritarian regimes primarily respond to threats of instability is challenged by our research, which posits that such regimes also take citizen complaints seriously, even when they do not pose a direct threat. Based on 238,835 citizen claims from China's largest national online petition platform from 2020 to 2021 and 793,119 citizen claims from Wuhan's local petition website, this study reveals that online complaints result in greater governmental responsiveness, compared to non‐complaints. This institutionalized feedback mechanism is driven by a mix of factors: the upper‐level officials' expectation for negative feedback, combined with bureaucrats' efforts to preserve themselves and avoid punitive consequences. Our findings thus enhance the understanding of what drives authoritarian responsiveness and signal a caution that an overreliance on managing complaints may deepen a stability‐maintenance mechanism, potentially impeding substantial reform.

Notice the comment? Chinese government responsiveness to public participation in the policymaking process

AbstractWe investigate government responsiveness in the notice and comment process, a prominent instrument of consultative authoritarianism through which policy is made in contemporary China. We conduct an extensive data collection effort, assembling draft policies, public comments, and government responses for more than one thousand instances of notice and comment policymaking over a 17‐year period. Our statistical analysis demonstrates both the promise and limitations of consultative authoritarianism in the context of the notice and comment process. Government responsiveness in salient policy areas and to lengthy and critical comments demonstrates that public scrutiny matters to policymakers. These patterns are consistent with the notion that autocrats seek to remain in power not only through repression but also by bolstering exchanges of information between state and society. Central government ministries, however, are relatively unresponsive, indicating that significant aspects of policymaking are not characterized by robust attention to public sentiment and information.

Analisis Penerapan Prinsip – Prinsip Good Governance dalam Pelayanan Publik di Kantor Desa Perboto Kecamatan Kalikajar Kabupaten Wonosobo

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to find out how the procedures for applying the principles of good governance in public services and how the inhibiting and encouraging factors for applying the principles of good governance in public services at the Perboto village office, Wonosobo Regency Research methodology: The research method used is qualitative research methods that try to explain or describe in as much detail as possible the objects and research problems based on the facts obtained in the field. This research uses the following data collection techniques to get primary and secondary data: literature studies, field studies, observations, interviews, and documentation. Results: Based on the results of the survey and discussion regarding the application of the principles of good governance in public services at the Perboto Village Office, Kalikajar Subdistrict, Wonosobo Regency by using an analysis of several principles of good governance consisting of transparency, accountability, rule of law, participation, government responsiveness, strategic vision, application of the principles of strategic vision in public services, government effectiveness and efficiency, justice, and consensus-oriented in solving various problems. Limitation: Limitations or weaknesses in this study lie in the research process or during interviews, researchers realize that in a study there must be something missing and many weaknesses. Contribution: In order to improve understanding and develop knowledge, further efforts are needed to apply the principles of good governance in the lecture environment. This paper is expected to be a recommendation or additional reference for future researchers, especially for those who want to apply the principles of good governance in their studies.

The influence of local government responsiveness and information quality on citizen acceptance of e-participation: An experimental study

Digital citizen participation is becoming increasingly important for improving government-citizen relationship, building active citizenship, and optimizing the efficiency of governments. Despite the potential, there are often far-reaching problems concerning the number and composition of participants, which often fall short of the expectations of local governments. Therefore, for e-participation to be successful, citizens must accept and use it. While numerous empirical studies have analyzed influencing factors such as the socio-demographic characteristics of citizens, the influence of the interaction between local governments and citizens within the procedures has been neglected. This article attempts to investigate the extent to which employee responsiveness and information quality influence citizens' acceptance of e-participation. Using an experimental design, the study confirms the influence of both factors.

Governmental Capabilities and Responsiveness: Global Investigations into CO2 Emissions and Decarbonization. The Ultimate Super Wicked Problem!

ABSTRACT We consider how the governmental and political contexts of societies affect the delivery of decarbonization agendas. Data on government effectiveness and political stability (capability) and voice and accountability (responsiveness) are related to emission levels in high and middle/low-income countries. The analysis implied that greater government effectiveness initially decreased, but then increased emissions. Alternatively, improvements in political stability had no effect in high-income countries, but lowered emissions elsewhere. Increasing voice and accountability had no effect on the emissions of high-income countries, but raised then (at higher levels) lowered emissions in middle and low-income countries. Findings are used to develop a scholarly understanding of the effects on complex public policy outcomes.

Worth a shot? The political economy of government responsiveness in times of crisis

We study the political economy of government responsiveness in the context of COVID-19 vaccine allocation in Mexico. We first present population-level evidence that the vaccines had positive effects on public health, motivating the plausible electoral value of vaccine distribution. To estimate these effects, we exploit newly collected data on diverse health outcomes and staggered roll-out of vaccines by municipalities and age groups. Our analysis then delves into the electoral predictors and consequences of the vaccination program. Electoral incentives positively correlate with government responsiveness, and vaccine allocation paid off electorally in some locations. Using a difference-in-differences strategy coupled with geographically fine-grained electoral data, which allow us to hold fixed all municipality-level factors that could have mattered for vaccine eligibility, we do not find any evidence that a higher vaccination coverage would have boosted electoral support for the incumbent party, on average. However, there is some evidence of heterogeneous effects. Furthermore, vaccines did increase electoral participation, plausibly by decreasing the perceived cost of voting midst the health crisis.

IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN DESENTRALISASI DALAM MENINGKATKAN EFEKTIVITAS PEMERINTAHAN DAERAH DI INDONESIA

This research aims to analyze the implementation of decentralization policies in Indonesia and their impact on the effectiveness of regional government. This study uses a qualitative approach with case study methods in several areas. Data was collected through observation and document analysis. The research results show that decentralization has increased community participation and regional government responsiveness, although there are still obstacles such as human resource capacity and budget management. This research provides recommendations for improving the implementation of decentralization policies in order to increase the effectiveness of regional government.

From de jure to de facto transparency: Analyzing the compliance gap in light of freedom of information laws

AbstractFreedom of information (FOI) laws empower citizens to access public information from public organizations, enhancing government transparency and accountability. Previous studies have evaluated government transparency and FOI compliance based on the proactive release of information and governments' responses to citizens' requests. This study extends prior research by focusing on regulatory compliance mechanisms in German public organizations. Specifically, it investigates how these organizations respond to information requests under varying legislative frameworks across Germany's 16 states (Länder). Based on six legal elements (de jure provisions), we examine FOI law stringency and investigate their association with government responsiveness to approximate de facto regulatory compliance. Based on an analysis of over 100,000 requests directed at more than 7000 German public sector organizations, we find that not all six legal elements are directly associated with responsiveness. Only those elements that signify a broader organizational commitment to transparency are linked to higher responsiveness. This study contributes to public sector transparency literature by highlighting the complex interplay between variations in FOI laws and actual compliance, and underscores the need for further research on the assumed causal relationship between FOI law stringency and transparency outcomes.

Measuring Key Factors in E-Government Participation: A Rasch Modeling Approach with Human Resource Management Considerations

This study examines the subject matter of e-government participation among Indonesian citizens, aiming to assess its effectiveness in enhancing government-citizen relationships through social media and good governance practices. The objectives include constructing and validating a survey instrument based on 15 experience items related to e-government perception, utilizing Rasch modeling to analyze data from 101 respondents. Results indicate strong reliability (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.94) and significant correlations (Person raw score-to-measure correlation = 0.99), affirming the instrument's capability to measure variables influencing e-government participation effectively. The findings align well with Rasch model expectations (Infit and Outfit MNSQ within acceptable ranges), highlighting the instrument's suitability for comprehensive assessment. In conclusion, this research contributes insights into enhancing government transparency, accountability, and responsiveness, crucial for fostering trust and effective governance in the digital era.

Strategi Komunikasi Tanggap Karawang Dalam Upaya Peningkatan Pelayanan Infrastruktur Publik Menggunakan Instagram @Tanggap.Karawang

Tanggap Karawang is an initiative launched by the Communication and Information Office of Karawang Regency to improve public services through the use of social media, particularly Instagram. The program aims to bridge communication between the government and the community, enabling quick responses to complaints and suggestions related to infrastructure and other social issues. Through Instagram, Tanggap Karawang focuses on disseminating up-to-date information, project transparency, and community involvement in maintenance and oversight processes. This study analyzes the effectiveness of using Instagram as a communication and participation tool by evaluating the program's impact on public satisfaction and infrastructure improvement. The results show that Instagram is effective in enhancing government interaction and responsiveness to social and infrastructure issues, though challenges remain in content management and communication consistency. Recommendations for further improvement include optimizing content strategies, training social media teams, and increasing collaboration among various stakeholders

Human development and disaster mortality: evidence from India

Natural disasters present substantial dangers to both human life and physical infrastructure. Although the human development index (HDI) is recognized for its pivotal role in mitigating mortality resulting from natural disasters, the exact extent of its impact on fatalities remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the relationship between HDI and fatalities resulting from floods and cyclones using panel data for 19 states of India spanning from 1983 to 2011. Employing Fixed Effects Poisson and Negative Binomial estimates, we establish a causal-effect relationship between HDI and disaster-related fatalities. Additionally, we utilize the Instrumental Variable Poisson (IV) model to address the endogeneity between HDI and fatalities. Our empirical findings indicate that states with higher HDI levels experience lower fatalities due to natural disasters. Furthermore, our results underscore the importance of critical policy discussions regarding the role of inequality-adjusted HDI, government responsiveness, and human capital development in disaster risk reduction strategies.

Assessing the Interplay Between Public Attention and Government Responsiveness With Digital Trace Data: Navigating Leadership and Followership in China’s COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign

China’s digital campaign to “vaccinate all who can be vaccinated,” officially launched in December 2020, carries global implications. Grounded in the agenda-setting framework to reveal how the responses of different groups are shaped and their agendas interact, this study analyzed two years of Sina Weibo (the largest Chinese microblogging service) and Baidu (the leading search engine in China) search index data to investigate the interrelationships among different groups’ issue foci and the effects of sentiment, rationality, and moral motivation in the agenda-setting process. Large-scale computational analyses were conducted to determine the extent to which the Chinese government followed the public’s issue preferences and identify which segment of the public had a stronger ability to set the agenda. The results indicated that as the central government transitioned from leading to following the public, regional governments had a greater impact on the public agenda compared to the central government or media. The government, public, and media differed in their usage of sentiment and moral motivation on social media during the vaccination campaign, and this varied depending on the campaign’s stage. Notably, all stakeholders emphasized individual-centered values over community-centered values when addressing vaccination. The findings shed light on effective strategies for social mobilization through targeted public health messaging.

Nigerian Youth Engagement in Violent Electoral Environments: Political Apathy or ‘Constrained Optimism’?

Abstract How do young citizens engage with politicians and their political environment in contexts where elections are frequently affected by violence? We explore this question through focus group discussions (FGDs) in Nigeria, a country with high rates of election violence. We argue that young voters in violent electoral environments operate with ‘constrained optimism’, where they perceive low government responsiveness but possess high levels of self-efficacy. Participants condemned violence and expressed little faith in political institutions and leaders to curtail violence, but they also felt a determination to elect a better government and a strong sense of a civic duty to vote, participate in politics, and encourage others to do so as well. Many participants also shared that they would continue to support their preferred candidate if they were accused of violence. Some participants raised concerns about the veracity of such allegations while others explained that politicians sometimes use violence for defensive purposes. Still others stated that they would continue to support candidates who expressed remorse for engaging in violence and committed to peaceful campaigning in the future. Taken together, we argue that young voters in violent contexts operate with ‘constrained optimism’ where they remain committed to democracy, but face constraints on who they support and how they participate. Our findings nuance expectations of the effects of electoral violence on political participation and better help us understand the challenges facing voters in contexts where violence is rife.

Democracy, Freedom, and Budget Transparency: A Multinational Analysis

The article examines the importance of democracy and freedom to budget transparency that contributes to government responsiveness and accountability to citizens. It investigates the question: What are the effects of democracy and freedom on budget transparency? Using the 2019 data from the International Budget Partnership that scored countries’ budget transparency practices and ordinary least squares multivariate regression, findings show that countries that score high on democracy and freedom tend to report higher budget transparency scores. The study attests to and validates the importance of democracy and freedom and the recognition that these principles should be incorporated as core values in government administration.

Current Status of Birth Registration Practice in Nepal

Birth registration is an essential element of civil registration and vital statistics which provide a legal identity and recognize the rights of an individual. In Nepal, birth registration has a long history starting from the Village Panchayat Act 1962 which was the first act with a provision for a birth certificate. Despite the over half-century experience of birth registration efforts, challenges to universal birth certificate coverage remain present, especially among the rural population. This research will investigate the current practices of birth registration in Nepal based on the findings of the National Population and Housing Census 2021. The analysis will show respective rates of birth certificate issuance across the regions, provinces, and development districts. Some areas show remarkable success in birth registration, while others struggle to reach significant coverage levels. The experience shows the critical role of government responsiveness to the development of birth registration which is especially important for rural areas and districts with significant rural populations. In this light, targeted efforts and outreach campaigns are necessary to eliminate barriers, thus guaranteeing equal access to birth registration for all children in Nepal.

Assessing the Role of Surabaya City Government's Responsiveness Toward Public Acceptance of COVID-19 Mitigation Policies

Public acceptance, involving community awareness and support, is crucial for successful policy implementation. Despite challenges faced during the performance of the COVID-19 mitigation policy in Surabaya, the city government has shown responsiveness in addressing the issue. This study investigates the influence of the Surabaya City Government's responsiveness on public acceptance of the COVID-19 mitigation policy. Employing the Policy Acceptance Model and government responsiveness theory, a quantitative survey was conducted with 400 purposively sampled respondents. Results indicate a significant positive effect, indicating that higher government responsiveness leads to greater public acceptance of the COVID-19 mitigation policy. These findings support existing theories and validate the importance of community support in policy implementation

The role of government trust and responsiveness in shaping sustainable tourism in West Sumatera, Indonesia

The role of government trust and responsiveness in shaping sustainable tourism in West Sumatera, Indonesia

The normatively troubling impact of attitudes toward the role of money in politics on external political efficacy

AbstractObjectiveWe explore whether Americans’ attitudes about the role of money spent on political campaigns and separately their attitudes about the influence of corporations impact their external political efficacy (EE) or perception that the government is responsive to them.MethodsWe conduct three independent sample surveys (total N = 2789) to measure individuals’ attitudes toward the role of money in politics (ARMP), attitudes toward corporations, and EE. We also measure political partisanship to test for moderating effects.ResultsARMP are strongly and positively associated with EE: those who are more favorable of the role money plays in politics view government as more responsive to them. This finding is specific to ARMP and does not extend to corporations, suggesting that public awareness of campaign spending is shaping individuals' views of government responsiveness. We find no evidence that this relationship is moderated by partisanship, despite differing views of money in politics between Democrats and Republicans.ConclusionOur results are normatively troubling and suggest that as campaign spending continues to rise, individuals will increasingly feel that the government is less responsive to their concerns.

An investigation into the causes and impact of service delivery protests on political stability: perceptions from the social contract and relative deprivation

Service delivery protests in South African municipalities are common due to governance issues. The ongoing discussions around service delivery protests in South Africa are an indication of a much-needed holistic approach to addressing the needs of the people. The objective of this study is to explore the reasons behind and effects of service delivery protests on political stability with perspectives, gained from the ideas of the social contract and relative deprivation. This study explored the individualized experiences, attitudes, and motives of persons engaging in service delivery protests using a qualitative research methodology based on an interpretivism approach. A detailed knowledge of the complex dynamics underpinning these protests was revealed using in-depth interviews, content analysis, and participant observation. The research has found that when promises of basic services and socioeconomic growth are not kept, there is a perceived breakdown of the social contract between residents and the government. Additionally, relative deprivation appeared as a major element influencing protest mobilization as people and communities perceived injustice and discontent when they contrasted their socioeconomic situation to others. Protests in the delivery of services have been found to have a variety of effects on political stability. Although they can spur government responsiveness and policy change, they also present stability hazards and the possibility of bloodshed. The study suggests a Cooperative government model to reduce protests and promote stability. This model focuses on protection, participation, and provision to ensure effective decision-making and service delivery that meets the people's needs.

The Roles of Social Media and Traditional News Media in Promoting Government Responsiveness in Social Incidents

Social media is considered to play an important role in promoting government responsiveness. However, it is impossible for the government to respond to all issues in the actual situation. Especially when encountering controversial social incidents, the local government usually evades responsibility due to damage to reputation or interests. This paper argues that when a controversial social incident occurs in China, the traditional news media will work with social media to encourage the local government to respond. Three cases are selected according to the hot discussion index of Sina Weibo, China's largest social media platform for multiple-case studies. 21 participants were interviewed to explore the function of social media and traditional news media during the process of government responsiveness. The results showed that traditional news media played the role of professionalism, supervision, and broker to develop social incidents. And social media took the information aggregation part in most situations. Social media and traditional news media work together to promote the local government to make government responsiveness active.