Linking democratic preferences and political participation: evidence from Germany

Gherghina, S. and Geissel, B. (2017) Linking democratic preferences and political participation: evidence from Germany. Political Studies, 65(1 Supp), pp. 24-42. (doi: 10.1177/0032321716672224)

Abstract

An extensive body of literature discusses the disaffection of citizens with representative democracy and highlights increasing citizens’ preferences for political decision-makers beyond elected politicians. But so far, little research has been conducted to analyse the relations between citizens’ respective preferences and their political behaviour. To address this void in the literature, our article investigates the extent to which citizens’ preferences for certain political decision-makers (politicians, citizens or expert) have an impact on their retrospective and prospective political participation. Our analysis draws on data from a survey conducted in autumn of 2014 on a probability representative sample in Germany. Results indicate that respondents favouring politicians as decision-makers focus mainly on voting. Those who favour citizens as decision-makers are more willing to get involved in participatory procedures, while those inclined towards expert decision-making show mixed participation.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gherghina, Dr Sergiu
• Authors: Gherghina, S., and Geissel, B.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• Journal Name: Political Studies
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 0032-3217
• ISSN (Online): 1467-9248
• Published Online: 13 January 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 SAGE Publications
• First Published: First published in Political Studies 65(1_suppl):24-42
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher