Post-materialism and environmental values in developed vs. semi-developing countries: analysis of Argentina and United States using the world values survey

Abstract

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. This research focuses on post-materialistic values and their connection to protecting the environment. Who believes that improving the environment is more important than economic growth and creating jobs? “Who” is defined in this study in two ways: first, focusing on developed countries versus semi-developing countries, and second, focusing on individuals’ post-materialist values versus materialist values. Previous research shows that people in developing countries place less value on post-materialist issues like protecting the environment compared to those in developed countries. This article argues that there is disputable difference of post-materialistic values, specifically in environmental values, between developing countries and developed countries. Findings here show that semi-developing countries may actually care more for environmental protection than economic growth.