An Influence of Austerity Measures on the Credibility of Power in Contemporary Western European Democracies

AlterEconomics (ранее - Журнал экономической теории). 2025. Vol. 22. No. 4. P. 608–623.

Gineiko A., Rozmainsky I. V.

This study examines the impact of austerity measures, specifically government spending cuts, on political trust and government credibility in Western European democracies since the 2000s. It highlights the complex relationship between fiscal policy and public perception, showing that austerity often reduces trust in government, particularly among vulnerable populations and younger citizens. The article focuses on the mechanisms through which fiscal consolidation shapes political attitudes and democratic stability. The methodology combines theoretical analysis, empirical data evaluation, and comparative study of trust in government across countries, using qualitative source analysis, statistical methods, and a comparative framework to identify patterns and differences in public perception under economic constraints. Austerity, defined as government policies designed to reduce fiscal deficits through lower spending or higher revenues, is often framed as a necessary response to economic challenges, yet it frequently undermines government credibility. Key findings show that austerity reshapes electoral behavior, fosters political polarization, and creates opportunities for far-right movements to capitalize on public discontent by framing fiscal measures as institutional failure. Overall, this article synthesizes insights from the past 15–20 years of research on the political consequences of austerity in Western Europe, offering a comprehensive overview of its effects on governance and democratic stability

Keywords: Western Europe, Западная Европа, электоральное поведение, «жесткая экономия», electoral behavior, Austerity, trust in government, доверие правительству