Degree Name

Department

David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies

College

David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies

Defense Date

2025-03-06

Publication Date

2025-03-12

First Faculty Advisor

Darin Self

First Faculty Reader

Ethan Busby

Honors Coordinator

Celeste Beesley

Keywords

democracy, liberal democracy, support for democracy, public opinion, conjoint survey, survey research

Abstract

In this thesis, I explore how individuals conceptualize democracy and whether their support is based on democratic principles or its outcomes. Using a conjoint experiment in Chile and Peru, I examine how respondents define democracy, assess governance, and adjust their support based on institutional attributes. My findings show that citizens struggle to distinguish between democracy’s core institutions and the broader social and economic conditions they associate with it. Their support is often tied to government performance rather than democratic principles. Moreover, they favor their own definition of democracy over an objective, institutional one, revealing a disconnect between public perception and academic understandings. This suggests that declining democratic support may reflect misunderstanding rather than authoritarian preference. By clarifying how people perceive and support democracy, this study contributes to discussions on democratic backsliding and creating accurate measures of support for democracy.