The Role of the State in Strengthening Democratic Dispositions: A Study of the Mexican State of Baja California

Katsuo A Nishikawa, Purdue University

Abstract

Do government actions have unanticipated “downstream” effects on citizens’ democratic dispositions? I hypothesize that government can do much to “jumpstart” the process by which citizens get involved in politics. I explore this question by comparing the effect that three distinct and innovative government policies have on citizens’ attitudes toward democracy. I use an original panel survey, consisting of 1,990 randomly selected individuals from the Mexican State of Baja California. First, I consider how a token gesture of goodwill from state officials affects political attitudes. I measure this effect via a survey-based randomized experiment in which a subgroup received a letter from the government. I compare these findings to the effect of more substantive government contact measured via participation in two distinct state policies (a program designed to pave low-income neighborhood streets, and a poverty alleviation program). I find that democratic attitudes can be positively affected by government policy. While the effect of goodwill gestures can prime negative attitudes held for the previous regime, substantive contact improves attitudes toward democracy and the state, foments the creation of social capital, and helps decouple traditional clientelistic relations.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

McCann, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Political science

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