European values at the turn of the century

In the seven thematic chapters of this atlas, a Europe’s values map ­selection of the data from the European Values The position of European countries on two dimensions: survival versus self-expression (x-axis) and traditional versus secular-rational (y-axis). Study is presented. From the charts and maps pre- 2.0 sented some main conclusions can be drawn: Europe Substantial majorities applaud unification, but only a few Europeans actually feel European. Family European views on family life remain 1.5 rather traditional. Being married-with-children is still the preferred lifestyle for a vast majority and faithfulness appears to be one of the most SE important criteria for a successful marriage. European women working outside their home 1.0 are generally well accepted, but when there are DE children, these children must come first. Secular/Rational

Work An increasing number of Europeans appreci- DK FI NO CZ ate an interesting and meaningful job, but good 0.5

pay remains the most important work quality. SI EE FR LT IS Religion Europe remains a religious continent but LV CH BG LU NL belief seems increasingly a personal matter, HU AT BE ES rather than connected to the church. GB 0 SK Politics Support for democracy is large and RU MK GR AL BY widespread, but confidence in governments and RS ME PT UA parliaments is not very strong. HR IT MD BA Society Despite all talk about a moral decline, TR PL RO NIR solidarity and tolerance are still highly valued −0.5 NCY AM IE throughout Europe. Europeans reject illegal CY ­activities such as cheating on tax or avoiding GE public transport fares en masse. Well-being Europeans on average are happy and −1.0 KOS MT satisfied, especially those in the wealthier coun- tries. Traditional

Values in two dimensions −1.5 But what general, overall conclusions may be drawn from the comprehensive set of data on values, beliefs and attitudes? What underlying patterns can be discerned in Europe’s moral views? −2.0 Where is Europe heading? Are values in Europe −2.0 −1.5 −1.0 −0.5 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 ­diverging or converging? To answer these ques- Survival Self−expression tions, all data are condensed into one two-dimen-

132 EUROPEAN values

Atlas EVS 2011 defi nieuw.indb 132 10-11-11 08:06 sional plot, a cultural map of Europe in which each size individual freedom and become more critical World values map country is represented by a single point. towards actual democratic performance. Self-­ The position of the EU 27 countries, non-EU countries, United States (US), China (CN), Brazil (BR), India (IN), and Ghana (GH) on two The Y-axis of the scatter plot reflects how tradi- expression values motivate the crucial social force dimensions: survival versus self-expression (x-axis) and traditional versus secular-rational (y-axis). tional a country is. Traditional countries emphasize involved in the rise of effective democracy. As 2.0 the importance of religion, deference to author- such, the spread of emancipative self-expression ity, parent-child ties and two-parent traditional values constitutes the key link in the process of families, and absolute moral standards; they reject human development, linking socioeconomic devel- 1.5 divorce, abortion, euthanasia, and suicide, and opment to democratic institutions. If democratic tend to be patriotic and nationalistic. The label institutions are in place, but emphasis on self- 1.0 ‘traditional’ is based on the religious and conven- expression values is weak, democracy tends to be Secular/Rational tional values that generally prevail in agrarian ineffective. Self-expression values motivate people societies. The contrast is formed by countries to press for freedom, effective civil and political 0.5 with ‘secular-rational’ values, which hold opposite rights, and genuinely responsive government.

preferences on all of these topics, and thus em- EU 27 CN phasizes freedom for individual moral choices and From Turkey to Sweden 0 high tolerance for others’ opinions and beliefs. The The values map immediately reveals that Europe Non EU label secular-rational is based on the predominant is not a homogeneous continent, but also that −0.5 IN non-religious, law-based and rational values that the countries are not randomly scattered. The US prevail in urban, industrialized societies. North-Western countries are found in the top The second dimension, placed on the X-axis, also right quadrant; the Baltic states, accompanied by BR captures a wide range of beliefs and values. The some central European countries, in the top left −1.0 axis reflects the shift from emphasis on economic corner. The less prosperous countries can be found and physical security, towards emphasis on self- in the bottom left quadrant, whereas the bottom GH −1.5 expression, subjective well-being, and quality of right quadrant is almost empty. The countries that life. This dimension is labeled ‘survival versus self- are the furthest apart on Europe’s values map are Traditional expression’. Countries that rank highly on survival Turkey and Sweden. −2.0 values tend to emphasize materialist orientations Each country’s position on the values map appears −2.0 −1.5 −1.0 −0.5 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 and traditional gender roles; they are relatively to be determined to a large extent by its economic Survival Self−expression intolerant of foreigners, gays and lesbians, and development. The more prosperous a country is, other marginalized groups, show relatively low the more it is to the top right, representing high Notably, virtually all of the historically Protestant emphasizes survival values more than self-­ levels of subjective well-being, rank relatively low levels of personal autonomy. Although there are countries (e.g. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, expression values, but when it comes to traditional on interpersonal trust, and emphasize hard work, some exceptions, economic prosperity and the and Iceland) rank higher on both value dimensions values, it is as traditional or as modern as Poland, rather than imagination or tolerance, as important corresponding higher level of social security seem than the historically Roman Catholic nations. The Italy and Ireland. The most traditional countries values to teach children. to push European values in the direction of self- latter (e.g. Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, are Malta and Kosovo. Malta is a very religious so- A society’s position on the survival/self-expression expression and autonomy. However, economic and Austria) display relatively traditional values, ciety; the position of Kosovo might to some extent values dimension has important political implica- development is, of course, not the complete story. but score higher on the survival/self expres- be attributed to the recent war. tions; for example, it is strongly linked to the level Values are also determined by social-cultural sion dimension than Orthodox countries such as of democracy found in each society. The pursuit heritages, languages, religious and ideological ­Romania, Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova. Turkey East versus West of self-expression values generates a democratic ­traditions, and differences in political and educa- and the other Islamic countries are on the bottom The final breakdown of the Soviet Union in 1991 reform potential, because people tend to empha- tional systems. left side on the values map. Turkey’s population was a historical event for Europe. The iron curtain

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Atlas EVS 2011 defi nieuw.indb 133 10-11-11 08:06