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Civil War and Democratization: A Micro‐Level Analysis
Author(s) -
Gurses Mehmet,
Celik Ayse Betul,
Balta Evren
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
social science quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.482
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1540-6237
pISSN - 0038-4941
DOI - 10.1111/ssqu.12780
Subject(s) - democracy , democratization , conceptualization , logistic regression , politics , spanish civil war , political science , sociology , political economy , development economics , social psychology , psychology , law , economics , medicine , artificial intelligence , computer science
Objective In this study we draw on the conflict between the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Turkey to explore how exposure to violence can engender support for democracy at the individual level. Methods We rely on two nationwide representative surveys carried out in Turkey and estimate a series of ordered logistic and logistic regression models. Results We find that exposure to violence during civil war is a significant predictor of embracing positive attitudes toward democracy. Wartime experiences are associated with a conceptualization of democracy that underscores equality and greater tolerance toward others. Conclusion Being a member of a repressed minority is not sufficient to explain support for democracy. The link between wartime experiences and holding positive attitudes toward democracy is conditioned by the degree of exposure to violence or which political party is supported.