Human values and social change

This book presents findings based on a unique source of insight into the role of human values - the World Values Survey and the European Values Survey, covering 78 societies containing over 80 percent of the world`s population. The findings reveal large and coherent cross-national differences in what people want out of life. Four waves of surveys, from 1981 to 1999-2001, reveal the impact of changing values on societal phenomena. Evidence from 11 Islamic societies demonstrates that a distinctive Islamic culture exists - but the democratic ideal is endorsed overwhelmingly. Other analyses examine gender equality and democracy; corruption and democracy; social capital in Vietnam; the class of civilization; political satisfaction in global perspective; trust in international governance; and Israeli and South African values.