Post-Materialism and Environmental Values in Developed vs Post-Materialism and Environmental Values in Developed vs. Semi-Developing Countries: Analysis of Argentina and United States using the World Values Survey Rachel J. Weber | Dr. Nels Paulson| University of Wisconsin-Stout The environment feeds our everyday needs, desires, and global growth. If we are to make our relationship with nature sustainable we need to know who values rebuilding the natural environment that is crumbling on a global scale. Linear Regression Analysis Previous Theory Implications | Conclusions There is little concern or awareness in developing countries about the quality of the environment – focusing on economic development and stability Relations to core economic institutions of society and the social class they relate with is directly related to environmental values Post-materialists [developed nations] are likely to place higher value on greater citizen involvement in decision making at government and community levels, and environmental protection -- Materialists’ basic needs for stability and security have not been met, leading materialists to focus on order and stability Environmentalism has become a global phenomenon adopted by poor and rich alike -- Individuals of low- socioeconomic status are likely to be environmentally concerned because they depend on the environment more than the rich for their livelihoods For males in the United States a one unit increase in post-materialism suggests being .178 units less likely to find importance in looking after the environment; to care for nature. The interaction variable suggests that in reality there is no difference in post-materialism across the United States and Argentina effecting how important it is to this person in looking after the environment; to care for nature For males in the United States a one unit increase in age suggests being .009 units less likely to find importance in looking after the environment; to care for nature Females in the United States are .170 units less likely to find importance in looking after the environment; to care for nature. There is a significant variation in valuing economic growth and environmental protection between Argentina and the United States Binary regression analysis suggests that the United States respondents are less likely to care about the environment compared to Argentina respondents Research does not suggest that semi-developing countries are making economic “sacrifices” for the environment or vice versa In both analyses the interaction variable regarding country association and the post-materialistic index did not yield statistically significant results Individuals that associate with semi-developing countries care for the environment just as much if not more than individuals of developed countries. Relating with post-materialism does not necessary make you a greater advocate for the environment. Argentina is 78% less likely to value economic growth and creating jobs over protecting the environment. It is important to expand upon research involving semi-developed nations to better understand their motives in relation to the environment and economic growth Semi-Developing vs. Developed Gross National Income, per capita, per year, classifies a nations economic developmental standing (The World Bank) low income ($1,035 or less) lower middle income ($1,036 to $4,085) upper middle income ($4,086 to $12,615) high income ($12,616 or more) Low/lower middle income = developing countries Upper middle income = semi-developing countries High income = developed countries United States: $47,340 (2006) Argentina: $6,290 (2006) Binary Logistic Regression Analysis Argentina is 78% less likely than U.S. citizens to value economic growth and creating jobs over protecting the environment. A one unit increase in post-materialism indicates you are 15.8% less likely to value economic growth and creating jobs over protecting the environment The interaction variable was not significant, implying that there is no difference in how post-materialism across the United States and Argentina effects how important it is to the individual to focus on protecting the environment versus economic growth and creating jobs Methodology Word Values Survey Wave 5 (2005 – 2009) Developed Nation – United States (n = 1,710) Semi-Developed Nation – Argentina (n = 1,002) National probabilistic multistage sample, 2006 Linear Regression Analysis (DV1) and Binary Logistic Regression Analysis (DV2) Independent Variables country association post-materialistic index interaction variable (country association * post-materialistic index) age, sex, social class Dependent Variables Looking after the environment is important to this individual; to care for nature How important is it to the individual to focus on protecting the environment versus economic growth and creating jobs.