Policy Performance and Satisfaction with Democracy

• Published in: Icelandic Review of Politics & Administration
• Main Authors: Eva Heiða Önnudóttir, Ólafur Þ. Harðarson
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Icelandic
• Published: University of Iceland 2011
• Subjects: Satisfaction with democracy; policy performance; representation,financial and political crisis; Political institutions and public administration (General); JF20-2112; Political science (General); JA1-92; Iceland
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.13177/irpa.a.2011.7.2.11; https://doaj.org/article/eaca6cfcf4ed43c99c3b480550b1d0c5

In this paper we examine how subjective perception of government’s policy performance affects satisfaction with how democracy works in Iceland. This we base on the argument that the public is aware of and evaluating the governments’ performance when the political system is faced with a major crisis that has been extensively publicly debated and triggered widespread protests. The financial and political crisis in Iceland 2008-09 provides an opportunity to examine if government performance can be seen as a causal factor explaining satisfaction with the democratic process. We take into account two alternative explanations; that satisfaction with how democracy works depends on citizens’ belief in how well the representative system works; and if they are more satisfied when their party is represented in government. Our principal conclusion is that subjective policy performance is the main explanation for citizens’ increased dissatisfaction with democracy during a severe crisis.