Value Change and Postmaterialist Politics

Abstract

The West German Green party has been the first significant predominantly postmaterialist party in Western Europe. Its voters are young, urban, and highly educated. This has led many observers to conclude that the Greens represent the values of an economically secure and affluent “new middle class.” This article challenges the major assumption underlying this view, namely, that high levels of education automatically correspond with material security. It shows that there is in fact an inverse relationship between material security and support for the Greens. It is argued that despite their material insecurity, Green supporters vote for the party for postmaterialist reasons. Finally it shows that there is a close relationship between the interests of the Green clientele and the party's political program.