Does Public Spending Improve Citizens' Quality of Life? An Analysis of Municipalities' Leisure Supply. Issue 2 (3rd March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mafrolla, Elisabetta; D'Amico, Eugenio
• Is Part Of: Local government studies. Volume 42:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 332
• Page End: 350
• Publication Date: 2016-03-03
• Subjects: Public spending -- quality of life -- leisure supply -- municipalities -- non-basic needs; Local government -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Local government -- Periodicals; 352.042
• DOI: 10.1080/03003930.2015.1127224
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-3930

Abstract

Abstract: This paper offers new evidence regarding the impact of public spending on the supply of leisure services on citizens' spare-time quality of life. Using data from 103 Italian capital municipalities covering the period 2007–2010, the analysis revealed that public spending on leisure impacted spare-time quality of life in various ways, depending on the category of spending. Spending for tourism essentially followed an upward path, linearly enhancing citizens' spare-time quality of life. Surprisingly, municipalities' spending on sport- and culture-related services had a non-linear impact. Hence, spending on sports within a maximum threshold reveals a positive impact on spare-time quality of life, whereas passing over a minimum level of public spending for culture-related projects had a positive effect. This paper provides helpful suggestions for policymakers who approach decisions that address whether it is worth spending on leisure, which is typically a non-basic need but one that must be properly satisfied by municipalities in today's service-based society.