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Public opinion and the political economy of educational reforms: A survey

Author

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  • Busemeyer, Marius R.
  • Lergetporer, Philipp
  • Wößmann, Ludger

Abstract

In the political economy of education policy, interactions between policymakers and public opinion can create discrepancies between political awareness and action. While a large literature studies public opinion on different aspects of the welfare state, research has only recently started to investigate the public's attitudes towards education policy. We survey this emerging literature with a particular focus on public preferences for education spending in different sociodemographic subgroups, policy trade-offs, support for specific education reforms, and the importance of information for public preferences. While the available evidence is multifaceted, there is some general indication that citizens place high priority on education policy, show substantial willingness to reform, and are responsive to information and adequate reform designs.

Suggested Citation

  • Busemeyer, Marius R. & Lergetporer, Philipp & Wößmann, Ludger, 2018. "Public opinion and the political economy of educational reforms: A survey," Munich Reprints in Economics 62854, University of Munich, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:lmu:muenar:62854
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    Cited by:

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    2. Freundl Vera & Grewenig Elisabeth & Kugler Franziska & Lergetporer Philipp & Schüler Ruth & Wedel Katharina & Werner Katharina & Wirth Olivia & Woessmann Ludger, 2023. "The ifo Education Survey 2014–2021: A New Dataset on Public Preferences for Education Policy in Germany," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 243(6), pages 699-710, December.
    3. Nidhi S. Sabharwal, 2024. "Understanding Students’ Attitudes Towards Affirmative Action Policy in Higher Education in India," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 12.
    4. Ranveig Falch, 2021. "How Do People Trade Off Resources Between Quick and Slow Learners?," Discussion Paper Series of the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods 2021_04, Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods.
    5. Radhika Lahiri & Zivanemoyo Chinzara, 2022. "Institutional reform, technology adoption and redistribution: a political economy perspective," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 59(2), pages 361-400, August.
    6. Potrafke, Niklas, 2020. "General or central government? Empirical evidence on political cycles in budget composition using new data for OECD countries," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    7. Falch, Ranveig, 2022. "How do people trade off resources between quick and slow learners?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D78 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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