Growing Up Democratic

Book excerpt: What explains differing levels of support for democracy in postauthoritarian countries? Do young people value democracy simply because they have grown up with it? Or do older generations, having experienced the alternative, value democracy more highly? Does the socialization of new generations into the norms of democratic citizenship herald the normalization of democratic governance? Or have frustrations with political corruption and economic stagnation led to the rejection of democracy or, at a minimum, the view that it is irrelevant? These questions are at the heart of this groundbreaking study of the impact of generational change on support for democracy and opposition to authoritarian rule in countries and regions around the world. David Denemark is professor of political science and international relations at the University of Western Australia. Robert Mattes is professor of political studies and director of the Democracy in Africa Research Unit at the University of Cape Town. Richard G. Niemi is Don Alonzo Watson professor of political science at the University of Rochester.