ABSTRACT
We analyse the relationship between individual perceptions of economic conditions and different dimensions of support for democracy during a significant economic crisis in Romania, a fragile and still unconsolidated democracy. Based on 2009–2013 panel data and using fixed effects regression models we show that both the economic crisis and evaluations of past economic performance have significant effects on the components of support for democracy that combine elements of diffuse and specific support. Although the economic crisis did have negative effects on middle-range forms of support for democracy, diffuse support for democracy was least affected by the current economic crisis.
