Analyzing Political Distrust as a Driving Factor for Protesting Political Actions in the Context of Security Threats and Political Corruption

Abstract

Introduction In modern societies, political emotions and attitudes play a significant role in shaping individuals' political behaviors. Two critical factors—perceived threats and political corruption—exert both direct and indirect effects on citizen actions. Perceived threats, whether arising from external security risks or internal issues like discrimination, tend to heighten anxiety and prompt political engagement as individuals seek solutions. Conversely, political corruption undermines trust in institutions but can also galvanize citizens to advocate for systemic reforms. Political distrust acts as a crucial link, connecting perceptions of corruption and security threats to increased political participation, such as voting or protesting. This study examined the mediating role of political distrust in the relationship between perceived corruption and security threats in relation to protest behavior in Iran. By addressing this important gap in the literature, the research offered valuable insights into the dynamics of political behavior and social unrest. Materials & Methods This research employed secondary data analysis to examine the impact of perceived corruption and security concerns on protest activities, with political distrust serving as a mediating variable. The dataset was sourced from the seventh wave of the World Values Survey, which utilized a stratified sampling technique targeting Iranian citizens. Data collection involved in-person interviews using a paper-based questionnaire with respondents selected through the "recent birthday" method. For analysis, both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS software to explore the relationships among the variables. Key variables included: Security Threat Perceptions: Measured through concerns about international war, terrorism, and civil conflict Perceived Corruption: Assessed in relation to government, business, and media corruption Political Distrust: Evaluated based on trust in the judiciary, government, and parliament Protest Actions: Measured through activities, such as petitions, peaceful protests, and strikes The validity and reliability of the measures were confirmed through factor loadings, composite reliability, and model fit indices with detailed findings presented in the results section. Discussion of Results & Conclusion The study aimed to test the research model by employing descriptive statistics and measurement models to assess validity and reliability. Hypotheses were examined using Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis in Smart PLS software. The results indicated moderate levels of perceived corruption (mean = 2.49) and political distrust (mean = 2.31), while perceptions of security threats were slightly below average (mean = 2.01). Notably, political participation was low with a mean of 1.55. Factor loadings exceeded 0.40 indicating acceptability and composite reliability values were above 0.70, thus confirming reliability. Convergent validity was established for most variables; however, the validity of political participation was slightly below the threshold, yet still acceptable according to Fornell and Larcker's criteria. Divergent validity was confirmed and the model's fit indices suggested an adequate compatibility with the data. The results demonstrated that perceived corruption (β = 0.04) and security threats (β = 0.14) exerted a direct effect on political participation, which was mediated by political distrust. The indirect effects were positive, indicating that perceived corruption (β = 0.08) and security threats (β = 0.05) positively influenced political actions through distrust. Among the strongest direct effects on political participation was political distrust (β = 0.23). Overall, the model explained 10.8% of the variance in political participation. Statistical analyses supported the notion that perceived corruption significantly contributed to political distrust (T = 16.59, p < 0.001), while security threats also elevated levels of distrust (T = 10.21, p < 0.001). However, perceived corruption did not have a direct influence on political participation (T = 1.74, p = 0.08). These findings revealed complex interrelations between perceptions of corruption, security threats, and political trust, providing insights into potential strategies for overcoming socio-political challenges. Using data from the seventh wave of the World Values Survey in Iran, this study examined the impact of perceived corruption and security threats on political protest behavior, while also exploring the mediating role of political distrust in these relationships. The findings indicated that perceived corruption within government institutions significantly influenced protest behaviors by increasing levels of political distrust. This aligns with previous research that identified corruption as a key driver of public distrust and resistance. Consequently, both directly and indirectly, these factors elevated protest activities by expressing discontent and further eroding confidence in political institutions. A central finding of this study underscored the importance of political mistrust as a crucial mediating factor. In contexts where institutional trust is low, such discontent often manifests as collective protests driven by feelings of corruption and insecurity. This situation highlights the urgent need for transparency, good governance, and strategies aimed at restoring public trust. It emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive political and institutional reforms to mitigate unrest and promote lasting peace.

Keywords

• perceived corruption
• security threat perception
• political distrust
• political action