The Role of Partisanship, Circumstances, and Action on Citizen Views of Government Effectiveness during the Initial COVID-19 Response

Abstract

Partisanship is a central factor in how citizens form their views towards government action. However, significant disasters can occasionally disrupt these patterns, causing partisan gaps to diminish and unity to increase. The initial government response to COVID-19 is an important time to study how partisanship, along with the circumstances within states and the promptness of action shape citizen response. Using survey data, this paper evaluates whether citizens view their state and the presidents response as effective. I find a significant role of partisanship, with those identifying as a different party from those of the government’s leader significantly less likely to respond that the response has been effective. In addition, taking early action and reducing the number of deaths in a state make state’s efforts more likely to be viewed as effective, but neither has a significant effect on views of the president.

Keywords: COVID-19; partisanship; government effectiveness; President Donal Trump; state policy