2023/12/10 by Jun Hui Eom, Hyeok Yong Kwon · 1 voice
Social Sciences · Health Professions · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · #Social Policy and Reform Studies #Employment and Welfare Studies #Housing, Finance, and Neoliberalism
paper · doi:10.1080/13510347.2023.2287086
openalex publication_date 2023/12/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
This study explores demand-side stories of democratic backsliding among citizens. We argue that individual job insecurity is associated with higher levels of support for strong leaders who are not committed to being subject to legislative checks and balances. Furthermore, we contend that this relationship is mitigated by higher asset levels and household income. In our analysis of Korea, we utilize data from the 2018 World Values Survey and the 2021 Korean General Social Survey. These results provide robust evidence for this hypothesis. Specifically, we find that assets as private alternatives to the welfare state moderate the effect of job insecurity on public support for undemocratic leaders. The findings from the Korean case have implications that can be generalized: enhancing job security and expanding public welfare provisions could bolster citizens’ democratic attitudes and behaviours.