In this study, we analyze German citizens' attitudes toward liberal democracy using probability-based samples collected between 1982 and 2018. We address two key gaps in the literature: first, by examining support for specific elements of liberal democracy rather than just generic democratic principles; second, by carefully disentangling age-related generational change from time period effects.
Our findings challenge the "democratic deconsolidation" hypothesis as applied to East Germany while suggesting that West German attitudes may still reflect earlier patterns. The data shows no evidence of declining support for core liberal democratic institutions or values across either region over this extensive timeframe.
| Leader of the Free World or Pioneer in Democracy’s Decline? Examining the Democratic Deconsolidation Hypothesis on the Mass Level in East and West Germany was authored by Alexander Wuttke, Konstantin Gavras and Harald Schoen. It was published by Sage in R&P in 2020. |
