The Efficacy Gap: Resentment and its Impact on External and Internal Political Efficacy

Abstract

Political efficacy—the belief in one’s ability to influence political outcomes—is an impactful predictor of support for democracy and political participation. However, the increasing rise of resentment politics—the belief that some groups are getting more than their fair share—may have dramatic consequences on citizens’ efficacy. Using the American National Election Study, we find resentful voters decrease their sense of external efficacy, that is, their belief that someone like them can influence the system. These effects are particularly concentrated among white respondents. However, partisanship conditions the impact of resentment for internal efficacy, that is, their belief that they understand the political system sufficiently to effectively participate. For Republicans, resentment increases their internal efficacy, while Democratic voters see a decline in their beliefs about their own comprehension of the political system. These findings have important implications for understanding the multifaceted impacts of resentment politics on political attitudes and support for democratic systems.