Same same but different: Investigating the meaning of self-determination in 26 countries
P5-04
Presented by: Heiko Giebler
No concept of liberalism and, consequently, of liberal democracy can be derived or exist empirically without individual self-determination. However, this does not mean that there is a universal definition of what individual self-determination actually means. Debates refer equally to different ideas of what is necessary to live a self-determined life as to different weight assigned to included aspects. In fact, both, within societies as well as between societies, varying definitions are at the heart of conflicts as they also relate to varying ideas of acceptable limitations of individual self-determination. Assuming that there is a universal definition does not only often lead to advocating a Western model of self-determination but makes it difficult to explain crucial developments around the globe, for example, democratic backsliding, increasing levels of polarization or the inability to address crises like human-made climate change.
There are various approaches trying to identify and explain patterns of aspects linked to individual self-determination ranging from economic issues to culture and values. In this study, we use novel data from a global survey covering 26 countries with different levels of socio-economic development and democratic quality as well as varying cultural characteristics. To investigate what self-determination actually means for individuals, we developed a new instrument on the basis of theoretically guided dimensions identifying the aspects of individual definitions. With more than 50,000 respondents, we are not only able to identify differences between countries but also between groups defined by age, education, gender, religiosity, partisanship or general value orientations.
There are various approaches trying to identify and explain patterns of aspects linked to individual self-determination ranging from economic issues to culture and values. In this study, we use novel data from a global survey covering 26 countries with different levels of socio-economic development and democratic quality as well as varying cultural characteristics. To investigate what self-determination actually means for individuals, we developed a new instrument on the basis of theoretically guided dimensions identifying the aspects of individual definitions. With more than 50,000 respondents, we are not only able to identify differences between countries but also between groups defined by age, education, gender, religiosity, partisanship or general value orientations.