Mismatch between Lower Performance and Higher Trust in Civil Service: Can Culture Provide an Explanation?

Despite lower socio-economic performance, a number of non-OECD countries show higher trust in civil service compared to OECD countries. To understand the mismatch, this study provides an alternative explanation based on... [ view full abstract ]

Despite lower socio-economic performance, a number of non-OECD countries show higher trust in civil service compared to OECD countries. To understand the mismatch, this study provides an alternative explanation based on culture, arguing that an ‘authoritarian cultural orientation’ in some societies may explain a higher level of trust despite these countries ranking poorly in the Human Development Index. On the basis of findings in the South Asian countries of Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the study finds significant trends in favor of this argument. The study also indicates that an authoritarian cultural orientation can affect citizens’ perceptions of service delivery processes: people with a higher authoritarian cultural orientation tend to have greater belief than do others that civil servants are prompt and efficient or treat everyone equally.