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Political Nostalgia in Times of Economic Hardship: Understanding Why Citizens Long for Previous Governments

Domaine:

socioeconomic
Créateur:
Egb
Éditeur:
Zenodo
Hôte:avatar
Political nostalgia has become an increasingly visible feature of democratic politics, particularly during periods of economic hardship. As inflation, unemployment, and declining living standards intensify, citizens often develop more favorable perceptions of previous governments, even when those administrations faced significant challenges while in office. This review examines the political, psychological, and economic factors that drive this phenomenon, drawing on comparative evidence from democracies across Africa, Latin America, Europe, and North America. It argues that political nostalgia is shaped by selective memory, economic dissatisfaction, and declining trust in current leadership, influencing electoral behavior and democratic legitimacy. The paper concludes that understanding political nostalgia provides valuable insights into how citizens interpret the past and make political decisions during times of economic uncertainty.

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