kathimerini.gr
Social Surveys Reveal Progressive Shift Despite Claims of Conservatism
Surveys in the US and Greece reveal a progressive shift in social attitudes, despite narratives of societal conservatism; data from Gallup and the World Values Survey show increased acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and other progressive values.
- How do the findings of the 2025 World Values Survey in Greece compare to previous surveys, providing insight into evolving social values?
- Contrary to claims of societal backlashes, multiple surveys demonstrate a general increase in progressive viewpoints across various groups, including in Greece. The 2025 World Values Survey in Greece showed a decrease in intolerance towards different religions and sexual orientations while showing increases in support for women's rights and acceptance of diverse gender identities. This contrasts sharply with the narrative of increased conservatism.
- What do recent social surveys reveal about the direction of societal attitudes in the US and Greece, challenging claims of widespread conservatism?
- Recent social research contradicts the narrative of societal conservatism, revealing a progressive shift in attitudes across various demographics. Gallup's 2024 study showed a rise in self-identified liberal young women in the US, from 28% in 2001 to 40% in 2024. Similarly, the 2025 World Values Survey in Greece indicates increased progressiveness on issues like LGBTQ+ rights and abortion access.
- What are the potential long-term implications of the observed trend towards progressiveness, considering the influence of misinformation and political polarization?
- The findings suggest that despite a polarized information landscape and attempts to frame progressivism negatively, a significant portion of the population continues to embrace more inclusive and tolerant viewpoints. While a segment maintains anti-systemic views, the overall trend points to a growing acceptance of social progress, particularly concerning human rights and equality. Continued monitoring is crucial to track this evolving social landscape.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the findings of the World Values Survey to emphasize progressive shifts in Greek society, downplaying any counter-arguments or evidence suggesting otherwise. The headline (which is not provided in the text) would likely reinforce this framing. The author uses emotionally charged language to portray those who believe in a societal shift towards conservatism as purveyors of misinformation. The selection and ordering of the survey results emphasize positive trends, potentially overshadowing less favorable ones.
Language Bias
The author uses loaded language to describe opposing viewpoints, referring to them as "myths," "hysterical extremes," and "toxic" information environments. Terms like "progressives" and "conservatives" are used, which themselves carry implicit biases. The author uses the phrase "woke" derisively to describe positive social attitudes. More neutral alternatives could include describing opposing views without judgmental language, focusing on the data rather than labeling groups.
Bias by Omission
The analysis focuses heavily on the results of the World Values Survey, potentially omitting other relevant data sources or perspectives on societal shifts in Greece. While acknowledging limitations of relying solely on survey data, the piece doesn't explore potential biases within the survey methodology itself, such as sampling bias or question wording influencing responses. This omission limits a comprehensive understanding of the claim about societal progress.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy between a supposed societal shift towards conservatism and the progressive views revealed in the surveys. It implies that only one of these trends can be true, overlooking the possibility of co-existing, possibly contradictory, social trends within the population.
Gender Bias
The analysis doesn't explicitly mention gender bias. While comparing responses of men and women in the US Gallup poll, it doesn't extend this comparative analysis to the Greek WVS data. This omission prevents a full assessment of gendered viewpoints within the Greek context.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights increased progressive attitudes towards gender equality in Greece, as shown by the World Values Survey. The percentage of respondents who agree that "girls and women should decide for themselves when, if, and whom they marry" increased significantly. This demonstrates progress toward gender equality and women's empowerment.