Measures of Elite Support for Market Reforms in Latin America

Figure 3.3

Elite Support for Privatization of Public Services (PELA, 1994 to 2004): “Which of the following statements best summarizes your personal attitude toward the issue of the privatization of public services? (2) I would privatize all public services. (1) I would only privatize services of low profitability. (1) I would privatize all public services except for those that are used by a majority of the population.” Although not offered explicitly, interviewers also coded the following two responses: (0) “I would leave things in their current state.” (0) “I wouldn't privatize any public services.” The failure to offer these two as explicit options probably results in an overestimation of support for privatization, although many respondents offered these answers nonetheless. The neutrality point is 0.5.

Elite Support for Free Trade in General (PELA, 1998 to 2001): “Of the different regional integration schemes that I will show you, which would be, in your opinion, the most adequate for your country? (0) One that includes countries in our immediate geographic and cultural area. (0) One that, besides including countries in our immediate geographic and cultural area, also has privileged relations with the United States. (0) One that groups together the largest number of Latin American countries. (1) One that, besides grouping together the largest number of Latin American countries, has preferential trade agreements with other non–Latin American countries.