Transparency and citizen support for public agencies: the case of foreign aid

Heinzel, M. , Reinsberg, B. and Swedlund, H. (2024) Transparency and citizen support for public agencies: the case of foreign aid. Governance, (doi: 10.1111/gove.12863) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Can public agencies boost support for their mandate by being more transparent? We examine this important question in the context of foreign aid. Skepticism about foreign aid spending is common among citizens. This article argues that bilateral aid agencies can increase support for foreign aid by enhancing transparency. The article presents findings from three survey experiments involving a representative sample of 2058 British citizens, as well as observational data at the cross-national level. The results suggest that transparency reforms are among the most effective institutional interventions for increasing public support. They also suggest that transparency is most effective at increasing public support amongst those who are initially more skeptical of aid and the civil service. Finally, they suggest that citizens do not have strong preferences about the type of information disclosed. They reward all types of transparency.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: Glasgow-Radboud Collaboration Fund.
• Keywords: Transparency, public administration, foreign policy, Official Development Assistance.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Reinsberg, Dr Bernhard and Heinzel, Dr Mirko
• Authors: Heinzel, M., Reinsberg, B., and Swedlund, H.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• Journal Name: Governance
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0952-1895
• ISSN (Online): 1468-0491
• Published Online: 19 March 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2024 The Authors.
• First Published: First published in Governance
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license