Upholding or undermining democracy?

Partisans and elites from ruling parties do not acknowledge when their party is eroding democracy

Between 70% and 80% of democratic breakdowns since 1990 have resulted from an elected executive consolidating power. A recent study in Latin America analyzed why citizens and elected leaders, ostensibly committed to democracy, do not prevent the executive from eroding democracy. It found that partisans and elected officials of the ruling party do not even recognize that democracy has eroded. A connection between people’s evaluations of democracy and the actual level of democracy exists only among people who do not belong to the president’s party. This research shows that legislatures and citizens often allow democracy to deteriorate because they are willfully blind to that deterioration.

Partisans are less willing to support anti-democratic behavior when they believe the other side is committed to democracy

Another recent paper asked why voters who are committed to democracy often support candidates who erode it. The study found that people support their party subverting democracy when they believe the other side will do it if given the chance. The study also found that people vastly overestimate the other side’s willingness to subvert democracy, and that correcting those misperceptions significantly increases individuals’ commitment to democracy. In fact, the intervention that corrected those misperceptions won the Strengthening Democracy Challenge megastudy as the most effective intervention for reducing anti-democratic attitudes. This research suggests that aspiring autocrats may attempt to instigate democratic backsliding by accusing their opponents of subverting democracy and that we can foster democratic stability by informing partisans about the other side’s commitment to democracy.

Do you have a study we should share for a future Facty Friday? Send an email to drg.el@usaid.gov!