USAID presents study on Political Culture of Democracy in El Salvador
August 20, 2007

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On Thursday, August 16, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in conjunction with the  Dr. Guillermo Manuel Ungo Foundation (FUNDAUNGO) and the University Public Opinion Institute (IUDOP) at the Universidad Centroamericana “José Simeón Cañas” (UCA), presented the study entitled “The Political Culture of Democracy in El Salvador: 2006.”

The product of a study on Salvadoran political culture, this report is part of a regional effort coordinated by the University of Vanderbilt’s Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) and financed by USAID, in order to study political culture in Central America, Mexico, and other Latin American countries, taking into account the importance that citizen values, norms and attitudes have in the process of consolidation of democracy in the region.  In El Salvador, the research was carried out by IUDOP and FUNDAUNGO.

The study found that over half of the Salvadoran population is dissatisfied with the functioning of democracy even though the majority prefers that form of government.  

The study is based on a public opinion poll carried out in June and July 2006 on a sample of 1,729 Salvadoran adults, with 95% accuracy and a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5%.  

The study shows that Salvadorans continue to support the idea of a democratic regime: 87.6% prefer elected democracy whereas 12.4% would support a non-elected strong leader.  Moreover, 72.7% prefer democracy as a form of government, 12.4% prefer an authoritarian government, and 14.9% are indifferent.  By comparing these data with a survey carried out in 2004, there has been a slight increase in the authoritarian and indifferent responses.

Opinions about the functioning of democracy were also surveyed: 53.4% feel dissatisfied or very dissatisfied, whereas 46.6% feel satisfied or very satisfied.  Compared to 2004 levels, dissatisfaction with the functioning of democracy has grown.

The report also states that “problems created by crime and insecurity contribute to eroding public trust in institutions, the legitimacy of the political system and the appraisal on the functioning of democracy.”