Fiddling while Democracy Burns: Partisan Reactions to Weak Democracy in Latin America. Issue 1 (20th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singer, Matthew M.
• Is Part Of: Perspectives on politics. Volume 21:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 9
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2023-03-20
• Subjects: Political science -- Periodicals; International relations -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 2001-2009 -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 2009- -- Periodicals; 320
• DOI: 10.1017/S1537592721002899
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1537-5927

Abstract

Abstract : Democracy is weakened when citizens and elites do not criticize actions or actors that undermine its principles. Yet this study documents a widespread pattern of partisan rationalization in how elites and the public evaluate democratic performance in Latin America. Survey data show that those whose party controls the presidency consistently express positive evaluations of the current state of democratic competition and institutions even when democracy in their country is weak. This pattern emerges in both mass survey data and among elected elites. These data have a worrying implication: if only the political opposition is willing to publicly acknowledge and sound the alarm when democracy is under attack, public pressure to protect democracy is likely to be dramatically reduced.