Public Support for Democracy in Iceland: Strengths and Challenges

In this study we examine the public's support for democracy in Iceland, focusing on political participation and trust in democratic institutions. The research addresses two central questions: To what extent does the Icelandic public actively engage in democratic processes? And how strong is their trust in the democratic system? Data from the Icelandic National Election Study (ÍSKOS) spanning the years 1983 to 2021 serve as the foundation for this analysis. These data include measures of political interest, voter turnout, party loyalty, membership in political parties, and trust in politicians, the democratic system, and Icelandic society at large. The Icelandic data is supplemented by comparative data from the European Social Survey, World Values Survey and the European Values Study. Findings reveal that democracy in Iceland remains robust in many respects. Political engagement is notably high, with over 80% voter turnout and 75% of respondents expressing at least moderate interest in politics. Furthermore, Iceland boasts one of the highest rates of party membership globally, with 23% of respondents reporting membership, although party loyalty has declined over the decades. Trust in democratic institutions presents a more complex picture. While general support for democracy remains strong and 89% of Icelanders rate living in a democracy as highly important, specific trust in political actors and institutions lags behind. Less than 30% trust politicians, and 61% perceive political corruption as widespread. Despite this, 70% express satisfaction with the functioning of democracy, and only 15% believe elections do not matter. These results highlight a dual narrative. On the one hand, Iceland's small, well-connected society and high levels of political engagement contribute to a resilient democratic system. On the other, low specific trust in political figures and institutions poses a challenge, compounded by the presence of a significant minority (approximately 20%) that disengages from both politics and society. This group is more likely to abstain from voting and support anti-establishment movements, potentially echoing trends seen in other Western democracies. The study concludes that while Icelandic democracy is generally healthy, vigilance is required to address low trust in politicians and the systemic factors driving disengagement among a subset of the population. These findings offer broader implications for comparing with other small, developed states, how to understand the resilience and vulnerabilities of democracy.