Political Regimes, Religious Dominance, and Economic Preferences: Insights from the World Values Survey and Global State of Democracy Indices

Vivek Jadhav

Social Science Quarterly, 2025, vol. 106, issue 1

Abstract: Objective This research explores how political regimes, individual incomes, and religious dominance influence societies' attitudes toward freedom, equality, and income inequality. This work applies an empirical framework on political regimes and socio‐religious contexts to study the impacts of political regimes and socioeconomic variables on individual beliefs about freedom, equality, and income inequality. Methods Utilizing data from the World Values Survey (WVS) along with the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) indices, the study employs a two‐stage regression model to control for issues of endogeneity. This approach helps to understand differences in preferences for freedom and equality under democratic, authoritarian, and hybrid regimes, along with the influence of income and religious dominance. Findings The results show that democratic regimes prioritize equality, especially among the poor and members of non‐dominant religious groups. Under authoritarian regimes, however, high‐income populations tend to favour freedom. Hybrid regimes exhibit varied tendencies, with both income status and religious dominance significantly influencing perceptions of equality. Conclusion This research contributes to understanding how political, economic, and religious factors shape societal preferences. The results provide insights into the complex interplay between governance, socioeconomic conditions, and individual preferences.

Date: 2025
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