Political Culture and Attribution of Responsibility

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine political psychological implications of individualism and collectivism among the citizens of thirty OECD countries in the domain of attribution of responsibility, utilizing the five waves of World Values Survey data. First, this paper will evaluate the effects of individualism and collectivism on the individual’s feeling of freedom and control over his or her life in general. It will touch upon the question of agency, which should affect one’s expectation for the role of the government among others. Second, it will take a close look into the effects of those cultural values and frames on the individual’s opinion about government responsibility in general and her role in economy in particular.