THE EFFECT OF CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC INSECURITY ON AUTHORITARIAN ATTITUDES A study on the effect of cultural and economic insecurity on authoritarian attitudes depending on level of post-materialism

Abstract

This thesis explores the relationship between cultural and economic insecurity in post-materialist and materialist countries. This is done using OLS regression to test whether the effect of different forms of insecurity on authoritarian attitudes differs between materialist and post-materialist countries. Whilst previous research has focused primarily on economic factors affecting democratic backsliding, this thesis argues that in societies where cultural questions dominate, other forms of existential insecurity may threaten democratic values. Using Ulrich Beck’s theories on the world risk society and reflexive modernization, it is argued that we are living in a time of greater cultural change and cultural risk. Individuals who feel heightened cultural insecurity may be more prone to favor authoritarian leadership at the expense of civil liberties. In materialist countries where economic values dominate, it is believed that the main sources of insecurity will stem from economic factors rather than cultural ones. Where economic questions dominate, support for authoritarian leadership is sought to protect material interests. Where cultural questions dominate, support for authoritarian leadership is sought to protect cultural interests. The results confirm that cultural insecurity influences authoritarian attitudes and that there is greater effect past a certain threshold of post-materialism. Economic insecurity has no effect in either materialist or post-materialist countries. At a certain threshold of post-materialism however, economic insecurity was a stronger predictor for authoritarian attitudes. Future research should develop more precise ways to measure subjective feelings of cultural and economic insecurity.