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Ideology Justifies Morality: Political Beliefs Predict Moral Foundations

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  • Peter K. Hatemi
  • Charles Crabtree
  • Kevin B. Smith

Abstract

Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) is employed as a causal explanation of ideology that posits political attitudes are products of moral intuitions. Prior theoretical models, however, suggest the opposite causal path, that is, that moral judgments are driven by political beliefs. In both instances, however, extant research has assumed rather than explicitly tested for causality. So do moral intuitions drive political beliefs or do political beliefs drive moral intuitions? We empirically address this question using data from two panel studies and one nationally representative study, and find consistent evidence supporting the hypothesis that ideology predicts moral intuitions. The findings have significant implications for MFT as a theory of ideology, and also about the consequences of political beliefs for shaping how individuals rationalize what is right and what is wrong.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter K. Hatemi & Charles Crabtree & Kevin B. Smith, 2019. "Ideology Justifies Morality: Political Beliefs Predict Moral Foundations," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 63(4), pages 788-806, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:amposc:v:63:y:2019:i:4:p:788-806
    DOI: 10.1111/ajps.12448
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    Cited by:

    1. Pedro Herrero García & Miguel Ángel Carbonero & Luis Jorge Martín Antón, 2020. "The Moral Competence of Spanish Councilors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Alrababah, Ala & Casalis, Marine & Masterson, Daniel & Hangartner, Dominik & Wehrli, & Weinstein, Jeremy, 2023. "Reducing Attrition in Phone-based Panel Surveys: A Web Application to Facilitate Best Practices and Semi-Automate Survey Workflow," OSF Preprints gyz3h, Center for Open Science.
    3. Lucas, David S. & Park, U. David, 2023. "The nature and origins of social venture mission: An exploratory study of political ideology and moral foundations," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 38(2).
    4. Michael Zakharin & Timothy C Bates, 2021. "Remapping the foundations of morality: Well-fitting structural model of the Moral Foundations Questionnaire," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(10), pages 1-26, October.
    5. Arnaud Wolff, 2022. "The Signaling Value of Social Identity," Working Papers of BETA 2022-15, Bureau d'Economie Théorique et Appliquée, UDS, Strasbourg.

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