Introduction to the discussion - OECD seminar Marleen Desmedt.pdfMarleen De Smedt - Eurostat 17 . 18Marleen De Eurostat Challenges ahead • Publishing simultaneously timely data for

Eurostat

Marleen De Smedt, Adviser to the Director General Eurostat, European Commission

OECD, Paris, 23 May 2014

European's understanding and evaluation of

democracy ESS Policy seminar hosted by OECD

Introduction to the discussion

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Eurostat as part of the EC

European Commission (EC)

• 1 of the 3 main EU institutions (EC, EP, Council)

• consists of different Directorates-General (DGs) including 1 DG on statistics (= Eurostat)

Eurostat + all statistical authorities

in the 28 Member States and in EFTA (NO, SW, LI, IS)

= European Statistical System (ESS)

Marleen De Smedt - Eurostat

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Eurostat

Eurostat as part of the EC

European Commission (EC)

DG Research (European Social Survey)

DG Communication (Eurobarometer–opinion poll)

DG ESTAT = Eurostat REGULATIONS ! CODE

EU-Statistics on Income and Living Conditions

(= EU-SILC + modules), EU Labour Force Survey – EU-Health Interview Survey – Adult Education Survey


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Discussion

I. Context

II. ESS Survey methodology

III.Analysis

IV. Other data sources

V. Some reflections


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I. Context

• Political and economical context (The economist)

• Early 1980s: 4th pillar in Sustainable Development

• Interest for ‘good governance’ at various levels

• Global: SDGs/post-15 development

• OECD: Better life index, Measuring trust in institutions

• EU: Measuring GDP and beyond

• Nation states

• Local level


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EU Measuring progress and Sustainable Development


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EU Measuring quality of life


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II. European Social Survey

• Sample size: min 1 500 or 800 in smaller countries, no substitution permitted, min target response rate 70 % , analysis of non-response and possible adjustments made ?

• Where and how: 29 countries, but 4 EU MS missing (EL, AU, HR, RO) one hour long face-to-face ? Translation guidelines

• What? Module E1-E45 on • Understandings

• Evaluation of different elements of democracy

• Trade-offs

Marleen De Smedt - Eurostat 8

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III. Analysis (a)

Classification in four different theoretically defined groups and each group comprises a number of dimensions for which 'indicators' could be selected:

1. Electoral process group (called 'democratic dimension in the analysis'): competition (opposition free), vertical electoral accountability (explanations govt), answerability and enforcement, deliberation and responsible government (sanction govt) – 7 elements

2. Liberal elements group: rule of law, horizontal accountability (checks and balance), minority rights and media reliability and media freedom – 5 elements

3. Deepening elements group: social justice (poverty protection, income equality), participatory, inclusiveness (migrants) - 3 elements

4. Trade-off elements group: freedom of expression, responsiveness and power sharing 1 element


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III. Analysis (b)

• Construction of scales

• Liberal democracy scale

• Type of democrats

• Evaluation of democracy


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IV. Additional analysis + suggestions

• Dis-aggregations by age, education level and income

• Correlations with other variables in the ESS (B module)

• Comparison with other data sources for the same variables

• Additional ‘fact finding’ questions needed (actual voting)


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V. Complementing information

• European Quality of Life Survey, wave 2012

• EU-Statistics on Income and Living Conditions hoc modules 2006, 2013 and 2015

• Eurobarometer November 2013 - 'Active citizenship'

• Word Bank indicators

• Bertelsmann Stiftung, 'Sustainable Governance Indicators 2014'


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Triangle of Quality for Indicators

Consistency with theory (Stiglitz)

Political relevance (Europe2020)

Measurability (GDP and beyond)


2013 EU-SILC Ad-hoc module - Aim

• Cover all topics of the dimensions of the framework

• Complement variables existing in EU-SILC

• Multivariate analysis of core and module variables

• Use as much as possible already tested variables

• Priority to ESS variables (EHIS, etc..)

• Manual and reference questionnaire (importance of wording, order etc) in all EU languages via a translation protocol.


2013 EU-SILC Ad-hoc module – Task Force

• High participation/interest from all stakeholders

• Biggest ever module TF (15 countries, international organisations, ISG delegates, experts)

• Strong recommendations from experts and OECD

• Detailed reactions from all countries

Need for compromise • Commission Regulation 1177/2003 of

24 January 2012

• Current list of 22 variables, divided over 7 areas


2013 EU-SILC AHM – areas & target variables (1)

I. Overall experience of life (2) Overall life satisfaction - Meaning of life

II. Material living conditions (2) Satisfaction with financial situation

Satisfaction with accommodation

III. Health (5) Being very nervous - Feeling down in the dumps

Feeling calm and peaceful - Feeling downhearted or depressed

Being happy

IV. Productive and valued activities (3)

Job satisfaction – Satisfaction with commuting time - Satisfaction with time use


2013 EU-SILC AHM – areas & target variables (2)

V. Governance and basic rights (3) Trust in the political system – Trust in the legal system –

Trust in the police

VI. Leisure and social interactions (4) Satisfaction with personal relationships – Personal matters

(anyone to discuss with) – Help from others – Trust in others

VII. Natural and living environment Material living conditions (2)

Satisfaction with recreational and green areas

Satisfaction with living environment

VII. Economic and physical safety (1) Physical security


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Challenges ahead

• Publishing simultaneously timely data for GDP and beyond (so

including social and environmental indicators)

• Getting acceptance and use of the data by all: policy makers,

media and the general public

• Giving broader society time to “catch up” with the statisticians –

'Measuring the world' - (Sally Engle Merry, 2011)

• Implementing forthcoming 'Stiglitz 2' recommendations on:

• Income and Wealth Inequality

• Multidimensional and Global Inequalities

• Multidimensional Subjective Well-being

• Sustainability.


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Thank you for your attention!

[email protected]

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat

Eurostat


mailto:[email protected]

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat

Documents

Introduction to the discussion - OECD seminar Marleen Desmedt.pdfMarleen De Smedt - Eurostat 17 . 18Marleen De Eurostat Challenges ahead • Publishing simultaneously timely data for