It is a well-established argument in the economics and political science literature that a country’s level of economic development has an impact on people’s political orientations. Following the central tenets of Social Modernisation Theory, high income levels and solid welfare provisions at the national level facilitate the fulfilment of people’s basic survival needs, so that post-materialist issues (relating e.g. to questions of multiculturalism, LGBTQ+ rights or the protection of the environment, rather than questions of economic survival) are likely to play a bigger role for the ideological identities of those individuals who grow up under conditions of macro-economic security compared to those who do not.
Related News
Our Critical Decade for Climate Action Conference: Register Now
Hear cutting-edge, evidence-based ideas and opportunities for urgent climate action at this 25th anniversary conference, hosted by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.
Our Critical Decade for Climate Action: Call for Posters
Present your research poster at the Tyndall Centre’s 25th anniversary event, our Critical Decade for Climate Action Conference, at UEA in September.
Report reveals cautionary tale of forests falling victim to “Humpty Dumpty effect”
A report on the role of forests in economic and social resilience has revealed that rapid economic growth has set a path for undoable destruction.
How to boost the policy impact of climate advisory bodies
A new study examines how advice from climate advisory bodies, such as the UK’s Climate Change Committee, can better influence climate policy.