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Conceptions of Democracy Among Mass and Elite in Post-Soviet Societies

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  • MILLER, ARTHUR H.
  • HESLI, VICKI L.
  • REISINGER, WILLIAM M.

Abstract

What do citizens and political leaders have in mind when they think about democracy? This article deals with the relationship between different conceptions of democracy and the level of support for democracy among both ordinary citizens and political elites in two post-Soviet countries, Russia and Ukraine.Data collected through personal interviews in 1992 and 1995 reveal that the mass and elite in these post-socialist countries hold different conceptions of democracy. The elite tend to emphasize law and order and the rule of law, whereas the citizens stress freedoms in their understanding of democracy. Involvement in politics, especially in a political party, has a significant influence on the meaning of democracy as well as on the consistency among attitudes reflecting support for democratic principles. Different conceptions of democracy are also found to affect the perceived extent to which the current regime fits with the individual's idea of what a democracy should be like.

Suggested Citation

  • Miller, Arthur H. & Hesli, Vicki L. & Reisinger, William M., 1997. "Conceptions of Democracy Among Mass and Elite in Post-Soviet Societies," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 27(2), pages 157-190, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:bjposi:v:27:y:1997:i:02:p:157-190_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Mario Quaranta, 2018. "The Meaning of Democracy to Citizens Across European Countries and the Factors Involved," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 136(3), pages 859-880, April.
    2. Jannes Jacobsen & Lukas Marian Fuchs, 2020. "Can We Compare Conceptions of Democracy in Cross-Linguistic and Cross-National Research? Evidence from a Random Sample of Refugees in Germany," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 151(2), pages 669-690, September.

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