The Structure of Political Support: A Study of Guatemala

This study applies concepts from the growing theory of political support to the analysis of citizen support for the political system in Guatemala. Using aggregated data from 375 interviews in seven municipalities, measures of the environment, the political community, the regime and the authorities are related to support for the system. Applying path analysis, the study concludes that the political community has major direct effects on the level of support. The environment has only indirect effects. The regime and authorities depend on these prior variables for their effects on support.