Satisfaction with Democracy Has Declined in Recent Years in High-Income Nations
A Pew Research Center survey shows declining satisfaction with democracy in high-income nations. Satisfaction dropped from 49% in 2021 to 36% in 2024, with notable decreases in countries like Canada, Germany, and the United States. Factors influencing dissatisfaction include perceptions of the economy, support for the governing party, education level, and age. Regional variations in satisfaction levels are evident across Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.
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A recent Pew Research Center survey indicates a growing dissatisfaction with democracy in high-income nations. While representative democracy is generally favored as a governing system worldwide, many individuals are unhappy with its current functioning. The survey, conducted across 31 countries, reveals a decline in satisfaction with democracy, particularly in high-income democracies. In 2021, 49% of respondents were satisfied with their democracy, but this number dropped to 36% in 2024. Notably, satisfaction levels have decreased in nine out of 12 consistently surveyed nations, with significant drops in countries like Canada, Germany, and the United States. Dissatisfaction with democracy is also linked to negative perceptions of the national economy and support for the governing party. Education level and age also play a role in how individuals perceive the functioning of democracy in their respective countries. The survey highlights varying levels of satisfaction across regions, with opinions differing widely in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.
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10 commentsIn the U.S. (from what I've seen - I'm envious of those with commanding knowledge of the situation) there are occasional elections with very limited, pre-chosen slates of candidates that most people don't know personally. The last time I tried to contact my district city councilperson (albeit in a fairly large city), a secretary answered my email.
There's also the assumption (not to deny the stated correlation) that satisfaction is tied to economic welfare. My opinion is that while this is necessary, it's hardly sufficient, and a major issue is not only economic inequality but a general inequality in opportunities to have any sort of influence in societal operations. I think it would be better if more people could be big fishes in little ponds. The professional class that makes up the media is defacto big fish and has a bias and blind spots to this.
Furthermore, I believe a better description of what exists in the U.S. at least is that we have a representative oligarchy - elected officials primarily representing and serving rich business interests.
Please understand that this is not really a moral judgement on my part - it seems entirely predictable and probably unavoidable for this to happen in an age of breathtaking material and technological abundance coupled with confusion about larger social questions.
The chattering classes in the West have completely taken their focus off raising living standards in favour of a number of other ideological goals. Energy and industrial policies across multiple democratic countries are in an absolute shambles to the point where we're being challenged by Russia of all countries. Over the past decades the US has adopted a strategy of printing money which is a very bad sign in a leading economic power.
I can see why people would be dissatisfied by democracy right now; I certainly am. The leadership classes aren't focused on prosperity. I hope we stick with it though, it is still a better approach than the alternatives.
Robert A. Heinlein