REPRESSION, PARTICIPATION AND DEMOCRATIC NORMS IN URBAN CENTRAL-AMERICA

Theory: Few studies have examined political repression's effects upon individual behavior and attitudes. We theorize that regimes use repres sion to constrain political behavior and values so as to limit demands and opposition. We therefore expect intense repression to reduce part icipation and support for democracy. Hypotheses: Using six Central Ame rican countries for a most-similar systems test, we hypothesize that, other factors held constant, both 1) citizens perceiving more repressi on and 2) citizens of repressive regimes will report less political pa rticipation and lower support for democratic norms. Methods: Using ear ly 1990s public opinion data from six urban Central American samples, we employ multiple regression to examine how perceived repression and systemic repression affect citizens' participation and support for dem ocratic norms. Also analyzed are individual demographic, resource and attitudinal items, and systemic measures of regime stability, and econ omic development. Results: More intense regime repression markedly red uces both citizen activity and support for democracy in Central Americ a. Perceived repression has no impact upon participation and very litt le impact upon democratic norms.