Understanding Democracy: Comparing SC Legislator and Citizen perceptions
School Name
Chapin High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Sociology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Over the past decade, a substantial body of research has documented democratic backsliding in the United States, alongside widening elite–mass perception gaps. This study examines the extent to which South Carolina legislators believe democracy—measured through Rights, Representation, Rule of Law, and Fair and Equal Participation—is declining, and how these beliefs compare to citizen perceptions. The project assesses perceptual democratic health to identify where elite–mass gaps occur and to evaluate their implications for democratic legitimacy and policymaking. To address this question, a survey was administered to two groups: South Carolina legislators and South Carolina citizens. Survey items were derived from established measures of democratic health, including the International IDEA Global State of Democracy and the Values of Democracy Expert Survey, and were coded on a five-point Likert scale. Responses were averaged and compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. Results indicate that legislators consistently rated democracy more positively than citizens across all indicators and substantially overestimated government accountability. Of the sixteen indicators analyzed, ten showed statistically significant differences in rank distributions, indicating systematic perceptual divergence. Partisan identity further shaped perceptions, with Republican respondents significantly more likely to rate democratic health positively across thirteen indicators. Overall, the findings demonstrate sharp divisions in democratic perception based on both institutional role and partisan affiliation.
Recommended Citation
Hamm, Cade, "Understanding Democracy: Comparing SC Legislator and Citizen perceptions" (2026). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 21.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2026/all/21
Location
Furman Hall 230
Start Date
3-28-2026 11:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
Understanding Democracy: Comparing SC Legislator and Citizen perceptions
Furman Hall 230
Over the past decade, a substantial body of research has documented democratic backsliding in the United States, alongside widening elite–mass perception gaps. This study examines the extent to which South Carolina legislators believe democracy—measured through Rights, Representation, Rule of Law, and Fair and Equal Participation—is declining, and how these beliefs compare to citizen perceptions. The project assesses perceptual democratic health to identify where elite–mass gaps occur and to evaluate their implications for democratic legitimacy and policymaking. To address this question, a survey was administered to two groups: South Carolina legislators and South Carolina citizens. Survey items were derived from established measures of democratic health, including the International IDEA Global State of Democracy and the Values of Democracy Expert Survey, and were coded on a five-point Likert scale. Responses were averaged and compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. Results indicate that legislators consistently rated democracy more positively than citizens across all indicators and substantially overestimated government accountability. Of the sixteen indicators analyzed, ten showed statistically significant differences in rank distributions, indicating systematic perceptual divergence. Partisan identity further shaped perceptions, with Republican respondents significantly more likely to rate democratic health positively across thirteen indicators. Overall, the findings demonstrate sharp divisions in democratic perception based on both institutional role and partisan affiliation.
