AbstractsPolitical Science

A characteristic of democratic citizens is cynicism of their governments. “Critical Citizens” theory accredits this behavior to increased awareness of government performance, but holds that citizens have strong attachments toward democracy. “Critical Citizens” theory has largely unexplained the role of religion and news politics on public support for democracies. This work seeks to explain how religion and news politics affect public support of governments. In doing so I find that religious worship increases attachments toward authority and political leaders, implying that religion increases support of government. Additionally, I find that support of democracy increases the likelihood of news politics consumption, while support for political leaders decreases the likelihood one consumes news politics. These findings contribute to “Critical Citizens” theory by answering how religion and news politics affect public support of government.