Support for democracy in ego‐centered social contexts

Abstract

Objective We investigate the influence of social contexts on democratic attitudes. Methods We use a novel survey data set with data from a nationally representative sample of Polish residents (egos) and their friends and acquaintances (alters). Results Controlling for several factors defined on the ego‐ and alter‐levels, we find a positive relationship between alters’ and ego's endorsement of democracy over nondemocratic alternatives. This effect is stronger the higher the number of close friends and acquaintances and when all friends know each other. Conclusion We find a positive relationship between the average preference of democracy in the social context and an individual endorsement of democracy. Confirmed moderators of this relationship may be cautiously interpreted as measuring the degree to which the context structures political communication between egos and alters.

Democratic Support as Truism: Ordinary Citizens’ Vulnerability to Anti-democratic Temptations

“…Exactly because democracy is so widely endorsed, citizens might feel uneasy publicly voicing dissent even when deep inside they reject that system. Indeed, when queried in private, the measured level of support is slightly lower (Kiewiet de Jonge, 2016), attesting to the social nature of democratic attitudes (also see Kamiński et al, 2022). Yet, the fact that support for democracy remains at very high levels even in the absence of social sanctions (Kaftan, 2022;Kiewiet de Jonge, 2016) indicates that democratic support functions more like an internalized belief.…”

“…Democratic attitudes change when the social context changes (Bursztyn et al, 2020;Gerber et al, 2017;Kamiński et al, 2022;Kiewiet de Jonge, 2016). Moreover, we know from societies with a history of system disruption that birth cohorts who grew up in non-democratic societies lack behind in democratic support compared to those who have always lived in the democratic system, pointing to the socialisatory roots in democratic support (Rohrschneider, 2004;Wuttke et al, 2020).…”