Postmaterialist populations: Can meaningful indicators be found on the systemic level?

Abstract: The postmaterialism thesis put forth by Ronald Inglehart stipulates a relationship between wealth and non-physical values. Among these values is the protection of the environment, meaning that wealthier populations should more readily prioritise measures that further this goal. The postmaterialism theory has been a matter of contention, however, and there’s substantial critique against it. One of these critiques concern the method with which postmaterialism is commonly measured. These measurements mostly aim at discerning postmaterialist value orientations among individuals. The thesis departs from this background, employing an understanding of postmaterialism as discernable on the systemic level also. Meaning that one should expect to see signs of postmaterialism by looking at the output of states. Regression analysis is employed, and a strong positive correlation between wealth and environmental performance can be found among countries. Whether this is because of differences in postmaterialist values among populations, or whether it’s a matter of alternative explanations remains uncertain. By comparing two states that hold an equable amount of wealth but are unequable in terms of environmental performance the postmaterialist explanation might hold weight. This is due to a time-lag inherent to the conditions that produce postmaterialism, and its effects. By analysing how long such conditions have been present then, one might make the argument that differing degrees of postmaterialism have indeed produced differences in political outcome.