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Political Culture of Democracy in Honduras, 2010 Democratic Political Culture of Democracy in Honduras, 2010 Democratic Consolidation in the Americas in Hard Times By: Orlando J. Pérez, Ph.D. José René Argueta, Ph.D. Central Michigan University Mitchell A. Seligson, Ph.D. Scientific Coordinator and Editor of Series Vanderbilt University This study was done with support from the Program in Democracy and Governance of the United States Agency for International Development. The opinions expressed in this study are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the point of view of the United States Agency for International Development. September, 2011 Political Culture of Democracy in Honduras, 2010 Table of Contents LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................................................................V LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................................................... XI PREFACE .............................................................................................................................................................................. XIII PROLOGUE: BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY............................................................................................................... XV Acknowledgements................................................................................................................................................... xxii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................................. XXV PART I: HARD TIMES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON DEMOCRACY .................................................................................1 CHAPTER I . HARD TIMES IN THE AMERICAS: ECONOMIC OVERVIEW..............................................................3 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Economic Overview...................................................................................................................................................... 3 Dimensions of the Economic Crisis in Honduras.......................................................................................................... 9 Trends in Democratic Development ........................................................................................................................... 13 Dimensions of Democracy in Honduras ..................................................................................................................... 15 The Relationship between Hard Times and Democracy ............................................................................................. 18 CHAPTER II . CITIZEN PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES DURING HARD TIMES IN THE AMERICAS ....21 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................. 21 Perceptions of the Magnitude of the Economic Crisis ................................................................................................ 21 Who is to blame for the economic crisis? ................................................................................................................... 24 Country specific analysis ............................................................................................................................................ 25 Personal Experiences with Economic Instability ........................................................................................................ 26 Jobs Loss ................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Reported Decrease in Household Income .............................................................................................................. 30 Who was affected the most by economic hardship? ................................................................................................... 32 Perceptions of Both the Personal and National Economy........................................................................................... 34 CHAPTER III . DEMOCRATIC VALUES IN HARD TIMES ...........................................................................................37 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................. 37 Support for Democracy............................................................................................................................................... 45 System Support ........................................................................................................................................................... 49 Satisfaction with Democracy ...................................................................................................................................... 56 Support for Military Coups ......................................................................................................................................... 60 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................................. 64 PART II: RULE OF LAW, CRIME, CORRUPTION, AND CIVIL SOCIETY .................................................................65 CHAPTER IV . RULE OF LAW, CRIME, AND CORRUPTION ......................................................................................67 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................. 67 Theoretical Background.............................................................................................................................................. 67 A. Perception of Insecurity and Crime........................................................................................................................ 69 Crime Victimization............................................................................................................................................... 74 B. Corruption .............................................................................................................................................................. 79 Theoretical Background ......................................................................................................................................... 79 The Measurement of Corruption ............................................................................................................................ 80 Perception of Corruption........................................................................................................................................ 82 Corruption Victimization ....................................................................................................................................... 83 C. The Impact of Crime, Insecurity and Corruption on Democracy ........................................................................... 87 D. Support for the Rule of Law and the Impact of Crime and Insecurity ................................................................... 92 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................................. 95 CHAPTER V . LEGITIMACY, SYSTEM SUPPORT, AND POLITICAL TOLERANCE..............................................97 Theoretical Background.............................................................................................................................................. 97 The Legitimacy/Tolerance Equation ...................................................................................................................... 97 A. System Support .................................................................................................................................................... 100 Theoretical Background ....................................................................................................................................... 100 B. Political Tolerance................................................................................................................................................ 103 ©LAPOP: Page iii Political Culture of Democracy in Honduras, 2010 Theoretical Background ....................................................................................................................................... 103 C. Support for Stable Democracy ............................................................................................................................. 107 D. Legitimacy of Other Democratic Institutions....................................................................................................... 110 E. Attitudes toward Democracy ................................................................................................................................ 112 a. Support for Democracy ...................................................................................................................................
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