Data Availability Materials

The justice system in a democracy aspires to effective <i>and</i> limited government—that is, to social order through rigorous investigations and trials that respect rights for the criminally accused and convicted. But during (perceived) waves of violence and theft, the value of domestic tranquility—encouraged by populist politicians—can surpass one’s commitment to due process in the development of opinion on extralegal tactics by the justice system. Surveying seven schools of thought, I integrate two factors into an original hypothesis on the antecedents of citizen support for aggressive crime control. Highly conscientious individuals, in my view, emphasize democratic duty during peaceful times and social order during tumultuous times. My analysis of survey data from throughout the Americas supports my hypothesis and has implications for public safety and democratic consolidation in a region of the world with relatively high crime rates and recent transitions to free and fair elections.