Eleventh Global Studies Conference

Abstract

It has long been understood by political scientists and psychologists that basic personal values are the ultimate underpinnings of attitudes and constitute the crucial grounding of ideology. A rapidly growing body of empirical evidence documents the multitude of ways in which values affect voting choices, attitudes towards immigrants and minorities, and ideological orientation as a whole. Data reveal that the critical trade-off underlying ideology is between values concerned with tolerance and protection for the welfare of all people (universalism) versus values concerned with preserving the social order and status quo (security). People holding universalism values tend to endorse liberal and left-wing political platforms, while those holding security values support right-wing and conservative political platforms. A noteworthy exception from this general principle was found in European post-communist countries, where needs for security were associated with left-wing orientation. In the current review of the literature the main theoretical models for the study of values are outlined, and the findings from research on the relation of ideological orientation to values are summarized. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the complex psychological processes that contribute to the formation of political attitudes.