The Effect of Partisanship, Sophistication, and Political Contexts on Belief in Democracy Promotion

Abstract

This article examines the questions of who believes in democracy promotion, what makes individuals change their belief in this ideal, and how that change occurs. I propose an interaction model where both political contexts and individuals' characteristics (partisanship and sophistication) work together in accounting for individuals' acceptance of democracy promotion. To explore the question, I use the surveys conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs from 1998 to 2008. The results show that partisanship moderates the effect of political events on individuals' acceptance of the ideal. Furthermore, sophistication‐level conditions the effect of the interaction between partisanship and events in accounting for acceptance of democracy promotion. Specifically, compared with less‐sophisticated Democrats and Republicans, the more‐sophisticated partisans interpret the Iraq war differently and, in turn, their belief in democracy promotion is significantly influenced by this event.Related ArticlesCollins, Stephen D. 2010. “.” Politics & Policy 38 (): 737‐764. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00256.x/abstractQuinn, Adam. 2007. “.” Politics & Policy 35 (): 522‐547. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2007.00071.x/abstractDolan, Chris J. 2008. “.” Politics & Policy 36 (): 542‐585. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2007.00121.x/abstractRelated MediaDiamond, Larry. 2010. “.” . http://www.newsweek.com/doing‐democracy‐promotion‐right‐82937Drake, Bruce. 2013. “.” http://www.pewresearch.org/fact‐tank/2013/12/04/americans‐put‐low‐priority‐on‐promoting‐democracy‐abroad/Bakerfeb, Peter. 2014. “.” http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/25/world/europe/wary‐stance‐from‐obama.html?_r=0