Unveiling a Positive Association Between Subjective Socioeconomic Status and Government Work Evaluation

The evaluation of governmental work signifies a subjective response to the efficacy of public administration. However, existing research, primarily centered on Western contexts, often overlooks the unique political and socioeconomic landscape of China. With China’s adoption of a socialist system and single-party governance divergent from other nations, this study endeavors to bridge this gap by investigating the association between individuals’ subjective socioeconomic status (sSES) and their assessment of government work. The generalized linear models were used to examine the association between sSES and government work evaluation and found a positive association. Smooth curves analysis revealed that, within similar sSES levels, individuals residing in urban areas, aged 18–44, unemployed, and possessing a high school education or above, consistently exhibit lower evaluations of government work. These findings not only offer a fresh perspective for harmonizing government policies with the public sentiment but also underscore the pivotal role of sSES in shaping trust and endorsement of governmental endeavors. This study contributes valuable insights into comprehending the subjectivity of government work evaluation comprehensively, providing a robust basis for future policy formulation and enhanced societal interactions.