PUBLIC SUPPORT ON POLICY IMPLEMENTATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Public support is widely recognised as a crucial factor for effective policy implementation and democratic governance. Despite the increased attention on this topic, the literature exploring the drivers of public support across various policy areas remains broad and fragmented. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of public support in policy contexts through a systematic literature review. Following the PRISMA protocol, we reviewed and thematically analysed 25 empirical studies. Our findings indicate that several factors influence public support, including individual values, political trust, perceived policy effectiveness, communication strategies, and demographic characteristics. We identified key themes across different domains, such as environmental, health, social, and governance policies. Additionally, this review highlights the uneven geographical and sectoral focus in the existing literature and the limited integration of psychological, social, and economic dimensions. Based on these insights, we propose a future research agenda and offer practical recommendations for policymakers to create more inclusive and effective public engagement strategies.