Measuring and Mapping Cultures ─ 25 Years of Comparative Value Surveys

Initiated in 1981, the World Values Survey was in the middle of the fifth round of data collection at the time of this book's writing, covering an increasing number of countries and providing valuable data for comparative research on cultural change around the world. The six essays presented here by Esmer (political science and international relations, Bogazici U., Turkey) and Pettersson (sociology of religion, Uppsala U., Sweden) explore methodological and theoretical issues connected to the survey and present research results on globalization, "McDonaldization," and values; religious and moral values and individualization in Europe and America; religious change in contemporary societies; and democratization and human development. Annotation c2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Yilmaz Esmer, Ph.D. (1977), Stanford University, is Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey. His latest book, co-edited with Sabri Sayari, is Politics, Parties and Elections in Turkey (Lynne Rienner, 2002). He is a member of the Executive Committee of the World Values Survey Association. Thorleif Pettersson, Ph.D. (1975) in Comparative Religion, University of Uppsala, is Professor of Sociology of Religion at Uppsala University, Sweden. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the World Values Survey Association and has published extensively on religious studies and comparative value research.