Democratic Demise?: A Longitudinal Study of Political Support in South Africa over 20 years

• In Event: Public Opinion and Political Support

Abstract

Citizen support for democratic actors and institutions and to an even greater extent, the democratic regime and political community, are vital components for regime legitimation and the consolidation of democracy. Theories of political support argue that should poor performance of political actors and institutions persist for an extended period, this may begin to erode diffuse bases of support for the democratic regime and political community. Given the poor performance of political actors and institutions over recent years in South Africa, an ideal country context for the testing of this hypothesis is provided. This study quantitatively traces citizen support for democratic actors and institutions as well as support for the democratic regime and political community over 20 years in democratic South Africa, observing declines in support for all of the above mentioned political components. This study further employs inferential statistical analysis to determine the statistical relationship between measures of support for actors and institutions (specific support) and support for the democratic regime and political community (diffuse support). Findings indicate a possible inferential relationship between these measures of support, indicating possible support for the hypothesis. These findings, coupled with high levels of inequality and poverty as well as an instrumentalist understanding of democracy do not bode well for the legitimation and the consolidation of democracy in South Africa. Concern is thus raised regarding the future of democratic rule in South Africa and a word of caution is issued to government actors and institutions: South Africa’s democracy cannot sustain itself without adequate government performance.

Author

• Sarah Beth Giles, Stellenbosch University