Replication Data for: Promoting democracy in the context of terrorism: Experimental evidence from Burkina Faso

Democracy, a cornerstone of rights and liberties, faces growing threats from authoritarian ideologies, especially in regions affected by terrorism. This study investigates the impact of democratic promotion interventions targeting ordinary citizens in strengthening democratic support and countering authoritarianism. A well-powered randomized online experiment in Burkina Faso exposed participants to educational videos focusing on: (1) an introduction of civic rights that democracies offer, (2) a general discussion of democracy’s advantages in combating terrorism, (3) a Burkina Faso-specific discussion of democracy's advantages in combating terrorism, or (4) space exploration (placebo). The results revealed that interventions promoting democracy can increase democratic support even in countries affected by terrorism. Importantly, however, while the video with a general discussion of democracy's advantages in addressing terrorism had the greatest impact, the country-specific video had little effect. These effects are not contingent on individuals’ proximity to attacks or direct experience of terrorism. This study contributes to understanding how democratic resilience can be strengthened in conflict-affected settings and informs future efforts to promote democracy and peace.