Inglehart's silent revolution thesis: An examination of life-cycle effects in the acquisition of postmaterialist values

Ronald Inglehart, a political scientist, argues that a "silent revolution" is taking place whereby Western publics are becoming increasingly "postmaterialistic" (endorsing values such as self-expression, aesthetics, and belonging) and less "materialistic" (endorsing values related to economic and security concerns). In this paper we examine Inglehart's reasons for rejecting the possibility that human development factors might play a role in this value shift. Utilizing the work of Erik Erikson, it is argued that the degree to which individuals experience the identity crisis is a predictor of the degree to which they endorse postmaterialist values. Data collected on two samples support the hypothesis that certain developmental factors may be playing a role in the "silent revolution".