What are Emergent Democratic Societies Doing to Democracy?

Analysis of Globalbarometer public opinion data from 46 emergent democracies indicates relatively high support for democracy but relatively low understanding of the concept. Most respondents thought of democracy as individual freedom; very few understood the institutions of rule of law, elections, & political parties. In the South Asian Barometer, India was the most satisfied with democracy, but when asked questions regarding the meaning of democracy, only 50% of the overall respondents even responded. The most salient meaning of democracy was 'justice/welfare' mentioned by 31%, followed by 'majority rule', 'civil liberties', & 'parties & elections' (23%, 14%, & 14%, respectively). Thus, the question that emerges is not what democracy is doing to the newly democratic countries, but what their societies are doing to democracy -- simplifying it into meaninglessness. Tables, References. J. Stanton