Revisiting the Origins of Volatility in Mass Attitudes toward the Roh Moo-hyun Government in South Korea

Abstract

This study explores the dynamic nature of public attitudes toward the Roh Moo-hyun government (2003-2008) in South Korea. On the basis of an analysis of multiyear national survey data, the study shows that citizens' political predispositions, institutional trust, and economic perceptions shaped the valence of their attitudes toward the Roh Moo-hyun government. Yet, the study also finds that those determinants of citizens' attitudinal valence played a very limited role in helping citizens sustain their political opinion. In particular, contrary to conventional wisdom, those who developed partisan and ideological attachments to the reformist government were more volatile in their political attitudes. These findings suggest that an incumbent government that pursues drastic changes might be at risk of receiving volatile public support.