THE PSYCHOLOGICAL UNDERPINNINGS OF DEMOCRACY: A Selective Review of Research on Political Tolerance, Interpersonal Trust, and Social Capital

Abstract

This chapter explores two psychological orientations that support democratic governance. First, robust democracies require citizens to tolerate others' efforts to participate in politics, even if they promote unpopular views. Research shows that citizens' political tolerance is influenced strongly by the depth of their commitment to democratic values, by their personality, and by the degree to which they perceive others as threatening. Cross-national research generalizes many of these findings to other countries. Second, robust democracies need citizens who will participate in politics. Almond and Verba's cross-national research shows that interpersonal trust and other features of political culture enhance citizen involvement in politics. Inglehart expanded the political culture framework in his work on post-materialism, interpersonal trust, life satisfaction, and cognitive mobilization. Recent theories of social capital also emphasize the role of generalized interpersonal trust, membership in voluntary associations, and norms of reciprocity in enhancing political participation and democracy.

Trust at zero acquaintance: More a matter of respect than expectation of reward.

“…It is difficult to think of a marriage or friendship lasting long without trust (Deutsch, 1958;Simpson, 2007) or any organization or firm thriving (Kramer, 1998;Kreps, 1990). It is implausible for a government to survive without trust between its citizens and its political institutions (Fukuyama, 1995;Sullivan & Transue, 1999). Trust is crucial not only among those with established relationships; it is also especially vital between strangers within social groups who have no responsibility toward each other outside of a single, transitory interaction.…”

Attitudes And Values Of Political Tolerance In Minds Of Russian Youth

“…To overcome or avoid conflict, one needs to tolerate the very things one abhors, disagrees with, http://dx.doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2018.02.34 Corresponding Author: S.M. Elissev Selection and peer-review under The study of problems of tolerance in democracy has the certain traditions (Vogt, 1997;Sullivan, Transue, 1999;Katnik, 2002;Gibson, 2006, Harell, 2010. In recent decades, there has been interest in the problem of formation of tolerance in the conditions of democratization of society (Peffley, Rohrschneider, 2003).…”

Buscando la inclusión de las minorías en un contexto multicultural. Una revisión teórica del prejuicio y de las estrategias para reducirlo

“…Además, y como es bien sabido, las sociedades democráticas albergan niveles menores de conflicto y de discriminación y, paralelamente, mayores niveles de tolerancia política y social que las sociedades autoritarias (Sullivan y Transue, 1999). Por ello, la gran mayoría de los investigadores sociales han percibido que para intentar cambiar las actitudes de las personas era necesario, en primer lugar, cambiar el contexto en el que éstas se encontraban inmersas (Sherif y Sherif, 1953).…”