Discontent with Democracy? An Analysis of Political Change and Public Opinion in Hungary and Poland

Democratic backsliding is a growing global issue, with many countries shifting into periods of autocratization. This thesis assesses whether shifts in how incumbents characterize democracy during periods of pro-authoritarian rule in Poland and Hungary have influenced citizens’ understanding and evaluation of democracy. Previous research defines democratic backsliding as the erosion of institutions that maintain liberal democratic governance. Democratic backsliding emerges through the interaction of top-down processes: elite strategies that weaken institutions, and bottom-up processes: citizen attitudes that tolerate or support these changes. The thesis examines how public opinion regarding democratic satisfaction shifts as countries become more autocratic. Using a triangulation of elite, media, and citizen data, the analysis employs process tracing to assess the areas that have shifted public opinion on democracy, then examines public opinion itself to see how satisfaction with democracy is fulfilled. The findings suggest that public opinion on democracy is shaped by ideology and individual economic satisfaction. Autocratization not only transforms institutions but also reshapes the meaning of democracy, enabling citizens to legitimize governance through personal economic satisfaction rather than liberal democratic principles.