Central Data Catalog
Citation Information
Type | Working Paper - Afrobarometer Working Paper no. 74 |
Title | Legitimating beliefs: Sources and indicators |
Author(s) | |
Issue | 74 |
Publication (Day/Month/Year) | 2007 |
Page numbers | 1-26 |
URL | http://www.afrobarometer.org/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=39 |
Abstract | This paper examines the conditions that promote popular legitimating beliefs that provide support for governments that are attempting to serve their entire populations competently and in a manner that is relatively impartial and equitable. Legitimacy as a feature of government reduces the transaction costs of governing by reducing reliance on coercion and monitoring. Here we explore the relationship between the existence of a relatively effective government, particularly one that is considered fair, and attitudes that indicate quasi-voluntary compliance, our indicator of the existence of legitimating beliefs. We posit that where such a relationship exists, there is the potential for the development of a virtuous circle. The more effective and fair the government, the greater the degree of quasi-voluntary compliance, which then improves government’s capacity to become more effective, which in turn increases quasi-voluntary compliance. |
Related studies
» | Africa - Afrobarometer Survey 2005-2006, Merged 18 Country, Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA), Michigan State University (MSU), Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) |
Levi, Margaret, and Audrey Sacks. "Legitimating beliefs: Sources and indicators." Afrobarometer Working Paper no. 74 , no. 74 (2007).