<論文>民主主義の受容と政治参加 : 意思反映システムの有効性と大衆への信頼感の検討

Abstract

An important variable of democracy is to consider whether the public should participate in political decision-making, or whether decision-making should be left it to the elite. This variable is known as 'participation orientation'. The frequency in which the individual actually participates in political decision-making (going to vote and so on) is also an important variable. This variable is known as 'participation action'. No experimental relationship is to be found between these two variables. I have sought to explain this unexpected finding. In this article, I suggest that consideration be given separately to a) the belief in the validity of the democratic system and b) the belief in the common sense of the public. These two beliefs are important in the acceptance of indirect democracy. 'Participation action' is concerned with the former, and 'participation orientation' is concerned with the latter. Therefore it must be understood that these two variables are based on different beliefs. Data from a questionnaire survey of electorates who live in the Kinki area is given to support this idea. From this point of view, four categories can be made: 'he/she who feels powerlessness or apathy', 'he/she who cannot believe in the indirect democratic system', 'he/she who cannot believe in the public', and the 'normal democrat'. In the second half of the paper, using this typology, I will discuss the attributes of each category, which party they favor, their democratic attitudes, and what factors they take into consideration when choosing a local assemblyman among them.