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Does Economic Crisis Reduce Support for Markets and Democracy in Latin America? Some Evidence from Surveys of Public Opinion and Well Being

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 May 2004

CAROL GRAHAM  and
SANDIP SUKHTANKAR
CAROL GRAHAM
Affiliation:
Brookings Institution.
SANDIP SUKHTANKAR
Affiliation:
Brookings Institution.
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Abstract

The severe economic crisis facing several countries in the region over the last couple of years has led many observers to predict a backlash against market policies and even against democracy in the region. An economic crisis of such proportions should also, in theory, have negative effects on subjective well being. Our analysis, based on the Latinobarómetro surveys from 2000–2002, finds some unexpected positive trends, as well as notable differences between those countries that suffered from crises and those that did not. Satisfaction with market policies and with the way democracy is working has decreased among all groups except the very wealthy. In contrast, support for democracy as a system of government has increased, suggesting that respondents are increasingly distinguishing between democracy as a system of government, and the manner in which particular governments are performing. We also find evidence of changing attitudes towards redistributive taxation among the wealthy.

JEL Codes. D63 (welfare economics, equity, justice, inequality); D84 (information and uncertainty, expectations); I31 (general welfare; basic needs; quality of life); J62 (mobility, unemployment, intergenerational mobility)

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Latin American Studies , Volume 36 , Issue 2 , May 2004 , pp. 349 - 377
Copyright
2004 Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

The authors thank Eduardo Aninat, Nancy Birdsall, Marta Lagos, James McCann, Ted Truman, John Williamson and Peyton Young for helpful comments on the paper and/or on a presentation of the results at the Inter-American Dialogue.