Can Rebuttals Restore Confidence in Eroding Democracies? Evidence from Mexico

• In Event: Polarization and Democratic Erosion in Mexico and Latin America

Brief Overview

We examine how anti-institutional rhetoric from backsliding leaders affects public trust. Using text and survey data from Mexico, we show that AMLO’s attacks reduced confidence, but nonpartisan rebuttals helped restore faith, even among supporters.

Authors

• Brett Bessen, Tecnologico de Monterrey

• Susan Stokes, University of Chicago

• Andres Uribe, University of Wisconsin–Madison