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Distaste for centralization: evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in Switzerland

Flèche, Sarah (2015) Distaste for centralization: evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in Switzerland. CEP Discussion Paper (1383). London School of Economics and Political Science. Centre for Economic Performance, London, UK.

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Abstract

Do people care about the degree of centralization? This paper examines the effects of local centralization reforms on individuals' well-being using a quasi-natural experiment in Switzerland. The results reveal that centralization has a causal negative impact on individuals' life satisfaction. Consistent with the concept of procedural utility, centralization reduces individuals' feeling of having political influence and interest in politics. In contrast, there are no impacts on individuals' satisfaction with local governments' performance. These findings shed new light on what people value in decentralized institutions.

Item Type: Monograph (Discussion Paper)
Official URL: http://cep.lse.ac.uk/
Additional Information: © 2015 The Authors
Divisions: Centre for Economic Performance
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
JEL classification: H - Public Economics > H1 - Structure and Scope of Government > H11 - Structure, Scope, and Performance of Government
H - Public Economics > H4 - Publicly Provided Goods > H40 - General
I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare and Poverty > I31 - General Welfare; Basic Needs; Living Standards; Quality of Life; Happiness
Date Deposited: 14 Jan 2016 15:44
Last Modified: 15 Sep 2023 23:37
Funders: Economic and Social Research Council
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/64999

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