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Predicting Democracy Support in the Middle East and North Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Mehmet Onder
  • Malek F. Abduljaber

Abstract

Democracy support among Arab citizens has decreased noticeably in the past decade. The Arab Barometer data demonstrates more than an average of 15–30 points drop‐in democracy support depending on the country considered. The present research utilizes the seventh wave data set offered by the Arab Barometer conducted between October 2021 and July 2022. The data covers 12 countries including Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Egypt, Sudan, and Kuwait. The investigation examines contemporary predictors of democracy support in the Middle East and North Africa. Utilizing multinomial logistic regression modeling, the current analysis found that older, more educated, and economically optimistic individuals are more likely to support democracy. On the other hand, urban residents, as well as those pessimistic about government performance, are less likely to support democracy. Overall, Arab citizens no longer support democracy at the same rate similar to pre‐Arab Spring levels. 过去十年, 阿拉伯公民对民主的支持率显著下降。“阿拉伯晴雨表”数据显示, 不同国家的民主支持率平均下降15至30个百分点以上。本研究利用了“阿拉伯晴雨表”于2021年10月至2022年7月期间提供的第七波数据集。该数据涵盖阿尔及利亚、突尼斯、利比亚、摩洛哥、毛里塔尼亚、约旦、黎巴嫩、巴勒斯坦、伊拉克、埃及、苏丹和科威特等12个国家。本研究考察了中东和北非地区当代民主支持率的预测因素。本研究利用多项逻辑回归模型发现, 年龄较大、受教育程度较高且对经济状况持乐观态度的个体更有可能支持民主。另一方面, 城市居民以及对政府表现持悲观态度的人群则不太可能支持民主。总体而言, 阿拉伯公民对民主的支持率已不如“阿拉伯之春”之前的水平。 El apoyo a la democracia entre los ciudadanos árabes ha disminuido notablemente en la última década. Los datos del Barómetro Árabe muestran una caída de más de 15 a 30 puntos porcentuales en el apoyo a la democracia, según el país considerado. La presente investigación utiliza el conjunto de datos de la séptima ola del Barómetro Árabe, realizado entre octubre de 2021 y julio de 2022. Los datos abarcan 12 países: Argelia, Túnez, Libia, Marruecos, Mauritania, Jordania, Líbano, Palestina, Irak, Egipto, Sudán y Kuwait. La investigación examina los predictores contemporáneos del apoyo a la democracia en Oriente Medio y el Norte de África. Mediante modelos de regresión logística multinomial, el análisis reveló que las personas de mayor edad, con mayor nivel educativo y con un optimismo económico son más propensas a apoyar la democracia. Por otro lado, los residentes urbanos, así como aquellos pesimistas sobre el desempeño del gobierno, son menos propensos a apoyar la democracia. En general, los ciudadanos árabes ya no apoyan la democracia con la misma tasa que antes de la Primavera Árabe.

Suggested Citation

  • Mehmet Onder & Malek F. Abduljaber, 2025. "Predicting Democracy Support in the Middle East and North Africa," World Affairs, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 188(3), July.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:woraff:v:188:y:2025:i:3:n:e70010
    DOI: 10.1002/waf2.70010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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