The egalitarian paradox: Democratic values, perceived inequality and political support

A substantial body of literature suggests that economic inequality has negative repercussions on the functioning and quality of democracy. At the individual level, several studies have shown that satisfaction with democracy is lower among citizens who perceive high levels of inequality. However, the link between perceptions of inequality and democratic attitudes is more complex if we consider that democracy encompasses an egalitarian ethos and is often believed to have inequality-reducing properties. A higher perceived inequality can therefore have a dual impact on democratic attitudes: it may increase dissatisfaction with how democracy is implemented, but at the same time reinforce support for democratic principles and strengthen demand for a more democratic political regime. Empirical support for this thesis is found with an analysis of eight original surveys conducted in East and Southeast Asia, a region where economic development is crucial for democratic legitimacy.