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Cultural Values Divergences and Convergences from the '90s to the Early '20s: Is the Cultural Gap Between the West and the Rest Widening?
Cultural Values Divergences and Convergences from the '90s to the Early '20s: Is the Cultural Gap Between the West and the Rest Widening?
The chart created by Inglehart-Wetzel measures cultural values across countries, presenting a comprehensive view of how societies evolve over time. The X-axis of the chart delineates Survival Values and Self-Expression Values, highlighting the shift from a focus on basic survival needs to an emphasis on individual expression and autonomy. The Y-axis, on the other hand, contrasts Traditional Values with Secular Values, illustrating the transition from traditional, often religion-centered values to more secular, rational values.
This plot spans data from the 1990s to 2023, showcasing the earliest and most recent data points within this timeframe. Countries are grouped according to their historical and cultural traditions, such as Protestant Europe, English-speaking nations, Catholic Europe, Orthodox Europe, Confucian societies, Latin America, African countries, and Muslim countries. Notably, China and India are plotted separately due to their considerable size and unique cultural landscapes.
Economic development and increased per capita wealth are expected to drive countries from left to right on the X-axis. As individuals face fewer survival threats, their values shift towards self-expression, reflecting a reduced reliance on group survival mechanisms. Similarly, as economic output rises, societies are anticipated to move upward on the Y-axis from traditional to secular values. This theoretical framework raises the question: has this predicted shift materialized over the past few decades? The findings reveal distinct patterns among different cultural groups.
Data Source: Inglehart-Wetzel Cultural Map. World Values Survey, 2023
Protestant Europe and English-speaking nations have gravitated towards the upper right corner of the chart. This convergence indicates a strong combination of self-expression values and secular values, demonstrating significant cultural alignment within these regions. Catholic Europe is also moving in a similar direction, suggesting a potential long-term convergence with Protestant Europe and English-speaking countries.
Contrastingly, Orthodox Europe has taken an unexpected trajectory. Following the fall of the Iron Curtain, the integration into the European Union, and subsequent economic growth, these countries have shown a marked return to traditional values. This resurgence suggests that economic development alone does not necessarily lead to secularization, as historical and cultural contexts play a significant role in shaping value systems.
In regions such as Latin America, India, African countries, and Muslim countries, traditional values and survival values predominantly persist. While there are signs of movement towards the right and upward on the chart, indicating some shifts towards secular and self-expression values, these changes are not as pronounced as in Western regions.
China and other South Asian countries have largely remained at the center of the plot, with slight movements towards secular and self-expression values. This suggests a more gradual shift in cultural values compared to other regions.
A notable trend over the past decades is the growing divergence between the West and the Rest. The West, encompassing Protestant Europe, English-speaking countries, and increasingly Catholic Europe, has distinctly separated itself from other regions in terms of cultural values. This widening gap highlights the unique trajectories of value systems across different parts of the world, influenced by a complex interplay of economic, historical, and cultural factors.
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