International Social Survey Program: Role of Government I and II, Cumulative File, 1985-1986, 1990

The International Social Survey Program (ISSP) is an ongoing program of crossnational collaboration. Formed in 1983, the group develops topical modules dealing with important areas of social science as supplements to regular national surveys. This collection presents cumulative data from two surveys exploring the "role of government" topic: INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SURVEY PROGRAM: ROLE OF GOVERNMENT, 1985-1986 (ICPSR 8909) and INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SURVEY PROGRAM: ROLE OF GOVERNMENT II, 1990 (ICPSR 6010). Only those countries surveyed in both studies (Australia, Great Britain, the United States, Germany, and Italy) are represented in this cumulative file, and only those questions asked in both waves are included. These data report citizens' opinions on the functions of their national governments and on what governments should and should not be doing. Questions were asked concerning taxes, gun control, cuts in government spending, government creation of new jobs, government spending on environmental concerns, law enforcement, health issues, education, defense, unemployment benefits, and the cultural arts. Other items focused on the role of public protest meetings, publications, and demonstrations. Respondents were also queried about the role of government in several industries, including electric power, steel, banking, and insurance. Demographic variables include age, sex, marital status, employment status, occupation, union membership, education, political party affiliation, religion, vote in the last election, subjective social class standing, size of household, family income, and occupation.