A Structural Approach to the Explanation of Political Efficacy Levels Under Democratic Regimes

Much past research on political efficacy takes as its proximate concern the system support and political participation of individual citizens, but takes as its ultimate concern the well-being of democratic polities. While empirical analysis is conducted entirely at the individual level, it is the health of the political system to which efficacy is conceptually tied. The research reported here departs from that practice, developing both theoretical argument and empirical analysis with a systemic focus. Two structural factors, economic development and years of democratic experience, are held to be critical to the subjective efficacy of citizenries under democratic regimes. Findings from a statistical analysis of twelve nations lend weight and specificity to this contention. Predictions of efficacy scores are made for a set of democracies not included in the analysis.