Psychological determinants of perceived democratic legitimacy

Project Period: 1/2018 - 12/2020
Investor: Grantová agentura ČR

The concept of democracy encompasses a variety of decision-making procedures (e.g., direct vote, decision of elected representatives, deliberation-based consensus) that might put emphasis on different, often conflicting, principles (e.g., majority rule vs. minority rights). This project aims to broaden our understanding of factors leading people to perceive some democratic procedures and principles as being more legitimate than others. Building on recent developments in social and political psychology, we aim to examine particularly the roles of implicit cognition (i.e. implicit attitudes and conceptions of democracy), social identity, threat, and personal involvement.

Researchers: Jan Šerek, Hana Macháčková, Martina Šmahelová