Democracy's Destruction? Changing Perceptions of the Supreme Court, the Presidency, and the Senate After the 2020 Election

The book analyzes the impact of the January 6, 2021, insurrection on American political institutions, arguing that perceptions of legitimacy are rooted in broader democratic values rather than reactions to specific events. Political scientist James L. Gibson uses survey data to demonstrate that support for the insurrection did not correlate with a broader rejection of political legitimacy. Additionally, he explores the differing perspectives of Black Americans, who exhibit less support for democratic institutions due to historical injustices, emphasizing that these views predate the insurrection. The work underscores the resilience of U.S. democracy amidst ongoing challenges.