Support for Liberal Democracy in Times of Crisis: Evidence from COVID-19

• In Event: Political Opinion During a Pandemic

Abstract

A defining feature of liberal democracy is respect for and protection of fundamental rights. Yet, major crises, such as wars or natural disasters, can provide a pretext to undermine these rights. This raises questions of whether citizens are willing to support policies that violate liberal democratic norms in a crisis and whether some individuals are more likely to support such encroachments. We conducted a series of well-powered preregistered conjoint and vignette experiments in the US and UK during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to examine these questions. The results show that people’s support for liberal democratic norms is quite malleable and that endorsements by an in-group party or trusted expert can increase support for illiberal policies. However, the evidence also reveals resistance to certain illiberal policy measures, including banning protests and limiting press freedom. This indicates the presence of liberal democratic norms, even when elites promote illiberal policies.

Authors

• Kevin Arceneaux, Sciences Po

• Bert Bakker, University of Amsterdam

• Sara B Hobolt, London School of Economics

• Catherine E. De Vries, Bocconi University