Kristyn Sampath

Abstract:

The United States was once considered the poster child of democracy in the world, in which many countries aspired to model their own governments after. Today, the US has received considerable backlash from both citizens and proponents of democracy for its perceived inability to satisfy citizens democratic needs. With the role of the media, public health interventions, concerns about electoral fraud, and law enforcement concerns weighing on the minds of Americans and politicians alike, citizens perceptions of democracy have begun to be perceived more negatively in recent years. Within this study, I examine the various potential effects of these government entities and media upon public perceptions of democracy and determine if any of the listed independent variables have a significant impact on public satisfaction regarding democratic institutions.