Ja. Booth et Pb. Richard, REPRESSION, PARTICIPATION AND DEMOCRATIC NORMS IN URBAN CENTRAL-AMERICA, American journal of political science, 40(4), 1996, pp. 1205-1232
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.