Transparency and trust in government: Evidence from a survey experiment

Arbeitspapier

Does providing information improve citizens' perception about government transparency? Does all information matter the same for shaping perceptions about the government? This paper addresses these questions in the context of an online randomized survey experiment conducted in Argentina. Results show that providing information to citizens matters for shaping perceptions about transparency, and the content of the information matters for affecting the evaluation people make about the government. Those who received a "positive" treatment (showing that the government was over-performing on its promises) increased their trust in the government more than those who received a "negative" treatment (showing that the government was under-performing). The evidence highlights that the channel between transparency and trust may be mediated by the performance of the government.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IDB Working Paper Series ; No. IDB-WP-962

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models: Classification Methods; Cluster Analysis; Principal Components; Factor Models ; Survey Methods; Sampling Methods ; Design of Experiments: Other ; Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness ; Micro-Based Behavioral Economics: General‡ ; Structure, Scope, and Performance of Government ; Publicly Provided Goods: General
• Subject: Survey experiments ; Information ; Beliefs ; Trust

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Alessandro, Martin ; Lagomarsino, Bruno Cardinale ; Scartascini, Carlos G. ; Torrealday, Jerónimo
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
• (where): Washington, DC
• (when): 2019

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.18235/0001569
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/208156
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET