Resistance or Tolerance? How Cultural Theory Worldview Orientations Predict Perceptions of Administrative Burdens

Public administration research highlights the deleterious impact of administrative burdens on citizens. Deeply held beliefs and values represent a theoretically important driver of citizen perceptions of administrative burden. We use the lens of cultural theory (CT), developed to explain preferences based on inclinations towards collectivism, social groups, and trust for authority and institutions, among other concepts. We find that hierarchy is associated with high levels of tolerance for administrative burdens across various policy areas. Egalitarianism is generally associated with opposition to burdens and a preference for expanding access but is positively associated with support for gun ownership regulation burdens. Finally, individualism presents a somewhat puzzling pattern, as our data suggests a positive association with acceptance of administrative burden, with the exception being gun ownership burdens.