A "significant minority" of Americans believe that a military coup would be justified under certain circumstances, The Washington Post reports.
By analyzing surveys conducted by the Latin American Public Opinion Project, the Post found that satisfaction with democracy in the U.S. has declined in recent years, as has the belief that a military takeover of the government would be justified if there's "a lot of corruption" or crime, but a small number of Americans do believe that could be.
Satisfied with Democracy in the United States:
- 68 percent of Republicans agree;
- 46 percent of Democrats agree;
- 44 percent of independents agree.
A military coup could be justified if there is a lot of corruption:
- 30 percent of Republicans agree;
- 27 percent of Democrats agree;
- 22 percent of independents agree.
Justifiable for the president to close Congress during "very difficult times:"
- 24 percent of Republicans agree;
- 12 percent of independents agree;
- 11 percent of Democrats agree.
"What could be behind this?" write the authors. "Partisanship is one factor, we found. Supporters of the sitting president's party are more likely to support closing Congress, maybe because they imagine that would strengthen the president."
They note that under Democratic President Barack Obama, more members of his party than the GOP were willing to shut down Congress.
"Even if the proportion of Americans who would support a military takeover hasn't increased over the past decade, the proportion disappointed in democracy has — and they might well shift into believing that it's time to let the generals give it a try," the authors add.
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