The Democracy Barometers (Part II): Surveying South Asia

Issue Date January 2008
Volume 19
Issue 1
Page Numbers 84
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Most South Asians believe that democracy is suitable for their country and prefer democracy over authoritarianism. While support for the institutional form of democracy is determined by access to education, media exposure, the experience of living under democratic conditions, support for the idea of democracy cuts across social barriers. The more active one is in politics, the more likely one is to support democracy; and the higher the degree of one’s participation—from being a one-time voter to a regular voter to a participant in nonelectoral political activity and finally to being a member of political organizations—the higher is likely to be one’s support for democratic governance.

About the Authors

Peter R. deSouza

Peter R. deSouza is director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies in Shimla, India.

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Suhas Palshikar

Suhas Palshikar is professor of political science at the University of Pune in India.

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Yogendra Yadav

Yogendra Yadav is senior fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in Delhi.

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