Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/36947 
Year of Publication: 
2010
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 4930
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Using micro data on more than 130,000 individuals from 69 countries, we analyze the extent to which joblessness of the individuals and the prevailing unemployment rate in the country impact perceptions of the effectiveness of democracy. We find that personal joblessness experience translates into negative opinions about the effectiveness of democracy and it increases the desire for a rouge leader. Evidence from people who live in European countries suggests that being jobless for more than a year is the source of discontent. We also find that well-educated and wealthier individuals are less likely to indicate that democracies are ineffective, regardless of joblessness. People's beliefs about the effectiveness of democracy as system of governance are also shaped by the unemployment rate in countries with low levels of democracy. The results suggest that periods of high unemployment and joblessness could hinder the development of democracy or threaten its existence.
Subjects: 
Unemployment duration
democracy
education
development
World Values Survey
JEL: 
J2
O1
P1
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
184.69 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.