Enormous growth of the world population during last two centuries and its present slowing down pose questions about precedents in history broader forces shaping size. Population estimates collected an extensive survey literature (873 from 25 studies covering 1,000,000 BCE to 2100 CE) show that has proceeded distinct phases acceleration followed by stoppage—from at least 25,000 100 BCE, 400 CE present, interrupted standstill 10% decrease. Both can be fitted with a mathematical function...

Abstract Increasingly many citizens residing abroad maintain connections to their country of origin and follow its national elections. Considering that this group constitutes a growing share the electorate, it is essential better understand factors motivate electoral participation. In study, we explore role economic, social cultural ties in unified analysis turnout among Finnish abroad. We rely on individual-level register data cover entire expatriate electorate ( n = 96,290) match personal...

Abstract Postal voting intends to provide citizens residing abroad with a convenient technique influence political representation in their country of origin. However, its adoption among individuals is dependent on two opposing factors. On the one hand, via post helps overcome increasing distance between voter’s residency and nearest polling station organized by diplomatic mission (mostly at an embassy or consulate). other this way also requires enough trust that postal service designated...

Popular consent is an essential element for success and stability of democracies. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that “electoral winners” (i.e. voters casting a ballot government parties) are more satisfied with democracy than supporters the opposition parties. However, little known about dynamics satisfaction during electoral cycle: Do winners become happier losers even discontent over time? We approach this question by utilizing interview date in European Social Survey (rounds 1–8)...

The expectancy-disconfirmation model (EDM) explains satisfaction with public services as a combination of service expectations and perceived performance. We study how in turn affects political trust. mimic the EDM logic by assessing interactions political-ideological 'normative expectations'. Three-wave panel surveys from Germany Norway contain general specific measures satisfaction. Multilevel models show robust between-, multiple instances within-individual, associations between...

In recent years Slovakia witnessed a dynamic development with crucial consequences for its domestic politics. Vast civic mobilization, the emergence of new parties and decline long-term hegemon – all these features culminated in 2020 general election. We first introduce results discuss them from longitudinal perspective Slovak Most importantly, despite considerably large portion correctly casted ballots which failed to pass institutional thresholds, outcomes do not suggest that...

Populist appeals to ‘pure people’ have been theorised mobilise previously disengaged citizens. However, this ‘corrective consequence’ has found weak support in empirical research. This finding is consistent with studies that suggest novel campaign and new political offerings a negligible effect on turnout. As consequence, research proposes distinction between the behavioural attitudinal effects of populism introduces softened revision corrective argument: Despite impact individuals’ turnout...

Even though partisan cues are widely recognized as a primary force shaping voter behaviour in referendum, their effect on decision whether to attend or abstain from voting has not yet been carefully studied. Our analysis of the pre-referendum survey data gathered before 2015 citizen-initiated referendum Slovakia leads two important conclusions: First, parties' recommendations influence voters' similar fashion suggestions for which side vote for. Moreover, certain institutional settings,...

Electoral ‘winners’ (i.e., voters casting a ballot for party included in the post-electoral government) are acknowledged to be more satisfied with democracy than supporters of opposition parties. However, little is known about influence parties and their specifics on boost satisfaction experienced by voters. To address this question, research utilizes 17 surveys from 12 countries European Social Survey rounds 1–8, which government replacement took place during survey period. This allows...

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that the traditional “booth, ballot, and pen” model of voting, based on a specific location physical presence, may not be feasible during health crisis. This situation highlighted need to assess whether existing national electoral legislation includes enough instruments ensure citizens’ safety voting procedures, even under conditions global pandemic. Such instruments, often grouped umbrella voter facilitation or convenience range from in advance...

This article is part of the special cluster titled Political Parties and Direct Democracy in Eastern Europe, guest-edited by Sergiu Gherghina. Referendums are widely regarded as a way enhancing democracy they provide further arena for citizens to affect public policy outcomes. In this regard, Slovakia represents deviant case that contradicts such an expectation. Since its emergence 1993, country implemented mechanisms direct into political system. analyses referendums it shows how parties...

There is perennial debate in comparative politics about electoral institutions, but what characterizes this the lack of consideration for citizens’ perspective. In paper, we report results an original survey conducted on representative samples 15 West European countries ( N = 15,414). We implemented instrument to elicit respondents’ views by asking them rate “real blind” outcomes. With instrument, aimed principled rather than partisan preferences regarding kind outcomes that citizens think...

This study connects two apparently disparate fields of inquiry in a specific quantitative way. In Lijphart’s Patterns Democracy, the majoritarian–consensual “executives–parties” score ( L) combines five indices. Four these largely or entirely derive from factors that Shugart and Taagepera, Votes Seats, logically deduced product numbers: number seats an average electoral district M) first only chamber representative assembly S). Hence L to purely institutional seat MS (logged) along simple...

This study is focused on the democratic competencies and political participation of youngpeople taking part in debate programs seven “new” democracies – Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia,Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania Slovakia. The research employs conventional methods adopted fromvarious established surveys for capturing attitudes values youths. Using a longitudinalresearch design, we compare results from debaters their non-debating peers three dimensions:political competence, participation....

Public resources are often allocated neither effectively nor equitably, and they serve as a tool for securing re-election. Despite compelling evidence pork-barrel politics, little is known about voters’ perceptions of this practice. Moreover, limited findings from Western countries also contradictory – voters perceive such strategy both positively negatively. To contribute with Central Eastern Europe (CEE), we conducted two survey experiments in Czechia Slovakia which randomized people’s...

Postal voting is often considered a means to enhance electoral participation by minimising the costs associated with voting. This study leverages individual-level register data for entire electorate of Finns residing abroad who were provided option mail in 2019 parliamentary elections addition traditional in-person Analysis their trajectories across three (2011, 2015, 2019) using such diverse approaches as descriptive statistics, interrupted time series analysis and an improved causal...

Abstract Perceptions that others will contribute their fair share are fundamental to the legitimacy of political system. To better understand how these perceptions take shape beyond influence narratives and socializations, this paper investigates role formative personal experiences benefit recipiency income changes in explaining views on welfare abuse as well tax evasion. Theoretically, both increasing identification or ‘othering’ could occur when lead new group adherence. test empirically,...

Abstract What shapes citizens’ perceptions of long-term welfare state sustainability? Past work hints at three explanations: information about fiscal pressure, deservingness views recipient groups, and left-right ideology. We consider all in an experiment exposing people to costs and/or low the labor market domain. Left-right ideology functions as a moderator. Unlike past work, which has concentrated on demographic pressures, does not generate worries sustainability (separately or combined...