A decade of democracy : comparing trends in support for democracy in South Africa and Brazil since democratic transition

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Brazil and South Africa were both part of the global 'third-wave of democracy, thebeginnings of their democratic transitions occurring in 1985 and 1994 respectively.Despite having been formerly subjected to decades of authoritarian rule, both countriesexperienced a modicum of democratic practice, however limited in franchise, under theprevious regimes.The purpose of this study is to investigate the levels of support for democracy in Braziland South Africa since democratic transition. Two types of political support are identifiedas crucial for democratic sustainability: diffuse support, or support for democracy'sintrinsic principles, and specific support, support which is conditional on the positiveevaluation of the regime institutions and incumbents. These two types of political supportare conceptualized as encompassing five levels or objects of political support, accordingto the Norris model: the political community, regime principles, regime performance(diffuse support), regime institutions and political actors (specific support).This study proposes that because vestiges of democratic norms and practices have beenpresent within these countries' political systems for some time, it is possible that theywill manifest trends in support similar to much older, more established democracies.These global trends indicate that diffuse support for democracy is being maintained whilespecific support for democracy is waning.A longitudinal quantitative study was conducted, using consecutive waves of WorldValues Survey to operationalize support for democracy in terms of the fiveabovementioned political objects and the results of South Africa and Brazil compared.These results show that both case studies could be interpreted as having fairly high levelsof diffuse support and decreasing levels of specific support for democracy. It is howeveracknowledged that results are not conclusive and further research is required, especiallywith respect to how respondents conceptualize the term 'democracy'.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University