The Chicken and Egg Question: Satisfaction with Democracy and Voter Turnout - Sciences Po Access content directly
Journal Articles PS: Political Science and Politics Year : 2018

The Chicken and Egg Question: Satisfaction with Democracy and Voter Turnout

Filip Kostelka
  • Function : Author
  • PersonId : 1027951
André Blais

Abstract

Political scientists, analysts and journalists alike have long believed that the degree of satisfaction with the functioning of democracy determines voter turnout. We use survey data from 24 panel studies to demonstrate that this causal relationship is actually reversed: voter turnout affects satisfaction with democracy. We also show that this reversed relationship is conditioned by election type, electoral system, and election outcomes. These findings are important because: (1) They question conventional wisdom and a large body of scientific literature; (2) They invite a more nuanced approach towards the study of the relationship between evaluations of regime performance and political participation; and (3) They emphasize the vital role of elections in shaping citizens’ perception of the democratic process.
Fichier principal
Vignette du fichier
2018-01-kostelka-chicken-and-egg-question-satisfaction-with-democracy-and-voter-turnout.pdf (533.36 Ko) Télécharger le fichier
Origin : Publisher files allowed on an open archive
Loading...

Dates and versions

hal-01705316 , version 1 (09-02-2018)

Identifiers

Cite

Filip Kostelka, André Blais. The Chicken and Egg Question: Satisfaction with Democracy and Voter Turnout. PS: Political Science and Politics, 2018. ⟨hal-01705316⟩

Collections

SCIENCESPO USPC
82 View
311 Download

Share

Gmail Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More