A democracia está à vista de todos? Personalismo presidencial e a opinião pública sobre o status democrático do país

Resumo

Frequentemente, presume-se que as crenças das pessoas sobre a democracia sejam independentes de suas motivações políticas. Pesquisas recentes, no entanto, mostram que as identidades partidárias e políticas desempenham um papel crucial na formação de atitudes em relação à democracia. Este estudo argumenta que cidadãos que se identificam com um presidente personalista são mais propensos a perceber seu país como uma democracia. Presidentes personalistas legitimam seu poder e autoridade apelando para suas supostas qualidades individuais excepcionais e habilidades políticas. Seu estilo personalista pode, portanto, aumentar o senso de agência coletiva e inspirar os cidadãos a acreditarem que vivem em uma democracia — mas apenas até certo ponto. Presidentes fortemente personalistas podem exercer a influência oposta. Com base em pesquisas representativas de doze países da América Latina, a análise indica que os eleitores são mais propensos a ver seu país como uma democracia em níveis moderados de personalismo. Presidentes altamente personalistas tendem a dividir o eleitorado, com os eleitores da oposição tornando-se mais céticos quanto ao status democrático de seu país. Essas descobertas sugerem que presidentes personalistas minam a responsabilidade democrática ao polarizar a opinião pública sobre a democracia.

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