Joblessness and Perceptions about the Effectiveness of Democracy / Duha Tore Altindag, Naci H. Mocan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Altindag, Duha Tore.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

Mocan, Naci H.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w15994.

NBER working paper series no. w15994

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2010.

Summary:

Using micro data on more than 130,000 individuals from 69 countries, we analyze the extent to which joblessness of the individuals and the prevailing unemployment rate in the country impact perceptions of the effectiveness of democracy. We find that personal joblessness experience translates into negative opinions about the effectiveness of democracy and it increases the desire for a rogue leader. Evidence from people who live in European countries suggests that being jobless for more than a year is the source of discontent. We also find that well-educated and wealthier individuals are less likely to indicate that democracies are ineffective, regardless of joblessness. People's beliefs about the effectiveness of democracy as system of governance are also shaped by the unemployment rate in countries with low levels of democracy. The results suggest that periods of high unemployment and joblessness could hinder the development of democracy or threaten its existence.

Notes:

Print version record

May 2010.