2024/10/04 by Hanne Fjelde, Gudlaug Olafsdottir · 1 voice
Social Sciences · #Electoral Systems and Political Participation #Political Conflict and Governance #Populism, Right-Wing Movements
paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/gov.2024.17
openalex publication_date 2024/10/04 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
Abstract In many elections across the world, the regime in power uses violence to influence electoral dynamics and outcomes. What is the effect of such violence on citizens' attitudes to democracy? We argue that the effect of government-perpetrated electoral violence on citizens' democratic commitment will diverge depending on whether the individual supports the ruling or opposition party. While those affiliated with the opposition should become more likely to support democracy in the wake of government violence, we expect those affiliated with the incumbent to support more power concentrated in the hands of the executive. We examine these expectations using cross-national, geo-referenced survey data from the Afrobarometer, alongside event data on electoral violence. We find that while incumbent supporters generally display lower baseline support for democracy in the absence of violence, violent elections do not further erode their democratic commitment. Violence is, however, associated with increased support for democracy amongst opposition supporters.