Understanding Anti-Democratic Sentiments: A Longitudinal Network Approach

Understanding the rise of anti-democratic sentiments is essential for preserving democratic stability. These sentiments develop through complex interactions between psychological, social, and political factors, yet their underlying dynamics remain insufficiently explored. This study applies psychometric network analysis to a large-scale national panel survey to examine how individuals’ feelings, attitudes, and beliefs interact over time to shape anti-democratic sentiments. Cross-lagged network modeling reveals self-reinforcing feedback loops and temporal fluctuations, suggesting that external political events may influence the stability of anti-democratic sentiments. These findings emphasize the need for longitudinal research to capture the mechanisms driving these sentiments and inform strategies to strengthen democratic resilience.