Abstract

FREIRE, André. Desempenho da democracia e reformas políticas: O caso português em perspectiva comparada. Sociologia, Problemas e Práticas [online]. 2003, n.43, pp.133-160. ISSN 0873-6529.

This article provides a comparative analysis of the way the Portuguese support the democratic political system. Three fundamental conclusions about the situation in Portugal uphold the idea that there is a need for the system of political representation to be reformed. First, the citizens have a strong belief in the basic principles of democracy. Second, there is sharp criticism of politicians, growing dissatisfaction with what democracy is delivering and severe alienation with the governing powers. Third, the profile of the development and the causes of voter abstention indicate that it is not the effects of the normalization of democracy that we are confronting.

Keywords : Democracy; political support; abstention; political reforms.

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