The Journal of Public and International Affairs
Published since 1886 by the Academy of Political Science
Archive Search
Advanced Options
pp. 627-644
Democratic Legitimacy and Public Insecurity: Crime and Democracy in El Salvador and Guatemala
ORLANDO J. PERÉZ uses public opinion surveys to investigate how crime victimization
affects public attitudes toward democracy. The article focuses on the cases of El
Salvador and Guatemala. Across the developing countries, fear of crime and perceptions
of social disorder are widespread. The failure of the state and its public order
and criminal justice institutions to respond adequately and to provide protection and
basic security may threaten democratic development. The fear of becoming a victim of
crime significantly reduces support for democracy, increases support for authoritarian
measures, and lowers confidence in the police and the political system.
Join the Academy of Political Science and automatically receive Political Science Quarterly.
Environmental Opportunities
May 8, 2025
7:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m. ET
WEBINAR
Jimmy Carter's Legacy
Jimmy Carter's Public Policy Ex-Presidency
John Whiteclay Chambers II
Publishing since 1886, PSQ is the most widely read and accessible scholarly journal with distinguished contributors such as: Lisa Anderson, Robert A. Dahl, Samuel P. Huntington, Robert Jervis, Joseph S. Nye, Jr., Theda Skocpol, Woodrow Wilson
view additional issuesArticles | Book reviews
 |
POLITICAL CONFLICT IN AMERICAN POLITICS |
The Academy of Political Science, promotes objective, scholarly analyses of political, social, and economic issues. Through its conferences and publications APS provides analysis and insight into both domestic and foreign policy issues.
With neither an ideological nor a partisan bias, PSQ looks at facts and analyzes data objectively to help readers understand what is really going on in national and world affairs.
