Batho Pele principles, perceived municipal performance and political behaviour in South Africa

Abstract

This article explores public attitudes relating to the extent to which municipalities live up to the Batho Pele principles in providing household services. It goes on to offer a preliminary examination of some of the geographic, socio-economic and service delivery correlates of such assessments. It then proceeds to investigate the impact that perceived good or poor performance has on political values and behaviour by focusing on three fundamental sets of outcome variables, namely institutional trust, conventional and unconventional forms of political participation, and satisfaction with democracy and future expectations. The concluding section offers some reflections of the importance of the findings for public policy.