Intergovernmental responsibility for social policy: An analysis of public preferences in Spain

Although a considerable amount is known about public preferences for multilevel government in the United States, there is less empirical evidence for other types of federations. Moreover, prior studies have neglected regional differences in intergovernmental policy preferences, despite the relevance of regional variation in places where territorial claims for autonomy exist. This article analyzes citizen preferences for the assignment of responsibility for social policies in Spain. Using data from a survey conducted in 2005 (prior to the European economic crisis), we find distinct patterns across regions in the strength of assignment preferences for health services, pensions, education, and social services. We also find that education, age, gender, social class, political ideology, preferences for lower taxes, and regional political identity are also independent determinants of assignment preferences.