Vote intent and beliefs about democracy in the United States

Abstract

Democracy is abstract and murky concept. This is particularly apparent in the wide variety of beliefs about democracy held by publics around the globe. Within democracies, political parties often define and name themselves by reference to a particular understanding of democracy. This paper focuses on this partisan division in understanding democracy. We suggest that parties will attract those who share similar beliefs about democracy. Specifically, we look at whether differences in beliefs about democracy predict party support in the United States. Examining the responses of U.S. participants to the fifth wave of the World Values Survey, we find that differences on a number of "essential" aspects of democracy among individuals predict vote intent (and party identification). Those more likely to understand democracy as a form of government that promotes civil liberties and the redistribution of wealth to protect the vulnerable are more likely to vote Democrat. Those who report stronger associations between democracy and both religious interpretation of laws and severe punishment of criminals are more likely to vote Republican. This research reinforces the idea that policy differences between the two main parties in the United States may derive from different understandings of the role of government in society.

Politically-polarized perceptions of governmental autonomy-support impact internal motivations to comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines

“…(e.g., McCright et al, 2014 ; cf. Baldassarri & Gelman, 2008 ; Dunn & Thornton, 2018 ; Heltzel & Laurin, 2020 ; Iyengar & Westwood, 2015 ; Jacoby, 2014 ; but see, Wilson et al, 2020 ). Republican and Democrat leaders delivered conflicting messages about the nature, importance, and severity of COVID-19, and its implications for society (Green et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Political polarization of enforcement can also undermine its effectiveness (see Attari et al, 2009 ; Cornforth, 2009 ; Dunn & Thornton, 2018 ; Fine et al, 2019 ). With regard to the U.S. pandemic, Democrats generally prefer greater government control, including mandatory safety guidelines with enforcement.…”

Large Group Regression and the Emergence of Psychopolitical Criminality

“…The differences between the parties may affect the fundamental understanding of political processes, including the nature of democracy itself. Dunn and Thorton (2018) found significant differences in the understanding of democracy between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats believe that wealth redistribution, unemployment security, and civil rights are main characteristics of a democracy, while Republicans believe that democracy requires religiously guided governance and punitive measures to maintain civil order (Dunn & Thorton, 2018).…”

“…Dunn and Thorton (2018) found significant differences in the understanding of democracy between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats believe that wealth redistribution, unemployment security, and civil rights are main characteristics of a democracy, while Republicans believe that democracy requires religiously guided governance and punitive measures to maintain civil order (Dunn & Thorton, 2018). Though these differences are points on a continuum, the loss of a political center among elected representatives makes the differences appear categorically different.…”