Variation of Human Values and Modernization

Preliminary Results

Bibliographic Data

ID7738675
AuthorsAndrey Korotayev (0000-0003-3014-2037, National Research University Higher School of Economics, corresponding author), Elena Slinko (0000-0002-1384-2712, Rossiya Segodnya, Moscow, Russia), Kira Meshcherina (0000-0002-7447-1521, National Research University Higher School of Economics), Julia Zinkina (0000-0003-0524-2140, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Moscow, Russia)
Year2020
Volume54
Issue2-3
Pages238-272
Publication date2020-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCross-Cultural Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1069-3971 • E-ISSN: 1552-3578
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1069397119874781
OpenAlexW2977222879
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited28

The current article investigates the relation between values and modernization applying some elements of the method proposed by Inglehart and Welzel (the authors of the Human Development Sequence Theory) to the data of Shalom Schwartz. The values survey by Schwartz specifies two main value axes, namely, conservation versus openness to change and self-transcendence versus self-enhancement. Our research has revealed that the correlation between these two value axes differs in its direction when estimated for “macro-Europe” (that includes Europe and former settlement colonies of North and South America and Oceania) and “Afroasia” (that includes Asia and Africa). In “macro-Europe,” we deal with a significant positive correlation between openness to change and self-transcendence, whereas in “Afroasia,” this correlation is strong, significant, and negative. We investigate the possible impact of modernization on this difference. To do this, we approximate modernization through such indicators as gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the proportions of the labor force employed in various sectors of economy. We find that, in both megazones, modernization is accompanied by increasing openness to change values. As for the self-transcendence/self-enhancement axis, we propose two possible explanations of the different dynamics observed in Europe and in “the East” (Asia and North Africa), namely, (a) that Eastern and Western societies find themselves at different modernization stages and (b) that this difference is accounted for by different civilizational patterns. Further analysis suggests that the latter explanation might be more plausible

Demographic economics · Development economics · Economic geography · Economic growth · Economic system · Economics · Economy · Modernization theory · Openness to experience · Per capita · Sociology · Statistics · Transcendence (philosophy · Value (mathematics · Cultural Differences and Values · Culture, Economy, and Development Studies · Demography · Mathematics · Philosophy · Psychology · Religion and Society Interactions · Social Psychology

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