How important is winning? Democratic experience and system support in young democracies

Abstract

Research has shown that there is a sizable difference between new and old democracies in terms of the effect of ‘winning’ on system support. This study traces the development of the winner and loser gap, in relation to system support, exclusively for young democracies. Based on findings from previous research and theory I develop and test one hypothesis regarding these dynamics. My analysis focuses on 21 countries that have became democracies in the third wave of democratization or later. Findings from multilevel models indicate that, in accordance with my main hypothesis, the winner/loser gap tends to decrease in new democracies overtime.