Determinants of Citizen Well-Being in the U.S. States: Do Policy Liberalism and Political Culture Matter?

Date

2009-10

Authors

Son, Jessica L.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of policy liberalism and political culture on the well-being of citizens in U.S. states. Well-being is measured using states' performance on Miringoff and Opdycke's Index of Social Health, a collection of social indicators designed to gauge social health. To determine the impact of policy liberalism and political culture, a multiple regression analysis was conducted. After controlling for per capita income, results of the analysis show that political culture significantly affects citizen well-being. In states with political culture types that favor government intervention in community issues, well-being was greater. States' level of policy liberalism did not have a significant impact on the citizen well-being.

Description

An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University-San Marcos, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Fall 2009.

Keywords

citizen well-being, United States, states, liberalism, political culture, social health, conservatism, materialistic, traditionalistic, individualistic, Public Administration

Citation

Son, J. L. (2009). Determinants of citizen well-being in the U.S. states: Do policy liberalism and political culture matter? Masters of Public Administration, Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, TX.

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