Satisfaction with the political system is slowly increasing again, but not among the bottom third of income earners.
The corona pandemic, the outbreak of war in Ukraine and high inflation have catapulted the Alpine republic to a real low point. Now at least 43 percent think that the political system in Austria works well. For comparison: two years ago that was only 34 percent. But the gap between rich and poor is wider than ever, as is evident from Foresight’s Democracy Monitor.
While 60 percent of people in the top third of income and 48 percent in the middle third of income think our political system is working well, only one in five in the bottom third (21 percent) share this view . This means that satisfaction in the top and middle thirds is increasing again for the second year in a row. However, in the bottom third of income, there has been a decline since 2020, when 43 percent still rated their functioning as very or fairly good.
Experience with lack of representation
“The gap in the assessment of the political system differs depending on the financial situation,” Foresight’s Martina Zandonella analyzed at a press conference on Wednesday. The reason for this is the experience of a lack of representation. Currently, 56 percent of people in the top third and 41 percent in the middle third think they are well represented in parliament, while in the bottom third this is only 19 percent. At the same time, the share of people in this group who are not eligible to vote is high.
Doubts about democratic participation have increased in recent years among the entire population: while the majority (61) saw themselves well represented in parliament in 2018, that number is now just over a third (36 percent). The elections for the National Council in September did not change this.
Attitudes towards democracy remain stable and high
Overall, trust in the rules and practices of democracy is relatively high and stable across the population. The vast majority rely on institutions such as the Constitutional Court (77 percent), the police (75), the judiciary (66) and the administration (62). People’s attitudes towards democracy in general also remain stable. 90 percent believe that democracy – despite some problems – is the best form of government.
About 20 percent take the opposite view, namely that there should be a strong leader who does not have to worry about parliament and elections. This value has also remained relatively stable in recent years, with the exception of an increase in 2022 in the Democracy Monitor.
Radicalization tendencies in small groups
Eight percent of respondents found an antidemocratic attitude in all questions. Although this value has remained relatively constant over the years, radicalization has been taking place within the group since 2021. For the fourth time in a row, a third of these eight percent demanded that the rights of parliament, the independence of the judiciary and freedom of assembly, as well as the independence of the media, should be only half as great before 2021;
The Democracy Monitor has been running since 2018. This year the survey took place between October 25 and November 22. In 2007, people aged 16 and over were surveyed via telephone and online interviews; this time half of them were also interviewed between August 6 and 28.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
