Most democratic citizens today are distrustful of politicians, political parties, and political institutions. Where once democracies expected an allegiant public, citizens now question the very pillars of representative democracy. Democratic Challenges, Democratic Choices documents the erosion of political support in virtually all advanced industrial democracies. Assembling an unprecedented array of cross-national public opinion data, this study traces the current challenges to democracy primary to changing citizen values and rising expectations. These critical citizens are concentrated among the young, the better educated, and the politically sophisticated. At the same time, the evidence debunks claims that such trends are a function of scandals, poor performance, and other government failures. Changing public are born from the successful social modernization of these nations. A creedal passion for democracy is sweeping across the Western democracies, and people now expect more of their governments. This study concludes by examining the consequences of these changing images of government. The author finds that these expectations are making governing more difficult, but also fueling demands for political reform. The choices that democracies make in response to these challenges may lead to a further expansion of the democratic process and a new relationship between citizens and their government

The author finds that these expectations are making governing more difficult, but also fueling demands for political reform. The choices that democracies make in response to these challenges may lead to a further expansion of the democratic process and a new relationship between citizens and their government.

Most democratic citizens today are now questioning the very pillars of representative democracy. This book uses an unprecedented array of cross-national public opinion surveys to document the erosion of political support in virtually all Western democracies. These trends are making governing more difficult, but also fueling demands for political reform that may lead to a further expansion of the democratic process and a new democratic relationship between citizens and their governments.

1. The Challenge to Democracy

Part 1: The Evidence of Change

2. Changing Citizen Orientations

Epilogue: American Reactions to September 11, 2001

Part 2: The Sources of Change

3. The Correlates of Political Support

4. Social Change and the Cumulation of Incremental Effects

5. Value Change and Political Support

6. Economic Performance and Political Support

7. Policy Preferences and Political Support

Part 3: The Effects of Change

8. The Consequences of Political Support

Part 4: Conclusion

9. Citizens and Democracy: A New Relationship

References

Index