Examining the Role of Well-Being in Government

The purpose of this study was to determine how political ideology and perceptions of meritocracy influenced support for government programs aimed at increasing societal well-being. Some research has been conducted to determine how living within countries and U.S. states under either liberal or conservative control can impact the well-being of the populace (Valdmanis, 2014), but little research exists concerning the effect of political ideology on support for well-being as a role of government. Individual perceptions of meritocracy have been found to be influenced by ideology, and in turn influence support for government programs that uphold existing inequality within society (Garcia, 2001). Given this, the perception of meritocracy was tested as both a mediating and moderating variable for the relationship between political ideology and endorsement of government well-being programs. Meritocracy was not a significant mediator; however perception, of meritocracy did significantly moderate the relationship between political ideology and government involvement in well-being (β = .1856, p <.05). This finding indicates that the relationship between conservatism and reduced support for government involvement in well-being was even stronger when the score for perceptions of meritocracy was high. Explanations for the results of both models are discussed, and future directions are proposed.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Hanson, Emily Julia

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/57170

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/57170