Perceptions and experiences in Madagascar: Where do the gaps come from when measuring corruption, criminal violence, and discrimination

Abstract

This article examines the indicators of perception and experience, frequently used in surveys to measure corruption, criminal violence, and discrimination. Focusing on Madagascar, we study the correlations between these two types of measurements, which are subject to some debates in the literature as they are not sufficiently understood. The results show that, apart from discrimination, there is little correlation between perceptions and experiences. In addition, we find that media exposure, education, trust, and contact with the administration are factors that significantly influence both experience and perception as measurements. These factors may exhibit a similar influence, showing convergence between the two measures, or opposite influences, dealing a difference between the measured phenomena. These results, mobilizing “Gouvernance, Paix et Sécurité” surveys (GPS-SHaSA), emphasize the relevance to always distinguish between perceptions and experiences when measuring, studying or treating with one of these concepts. For having identified variables that are captured (or not) by those two complementary indicators, this paper should be useful to both governments, practitioners, and researchers, if their aims are to address and better understand those governance phenomena.