The Unity and Diversity of the Global Matrix

In this chapter we discuss the results we obtained by applying the methodologies outlined in Chap. 2 . We first present the results of the experiments we did with different subsample sizes, which allowed us to estimate confidence intervals for the three quantities of interest here, namely, global archetypes, country compositions, and cultural coordinates. We then compare the results obtained with simple random samples to those where we also adjusted the probability of selection according to subgroup response rates using the E&WVS calibration weights. Here we conclude that the differences between the two sampling approaches are sufficiently small that the simpler approach is preferred because it allows us to expand our coverage of the globe from 81 to 117 countries, including several major countries which would otherwise be omitted as calibration weights are not available, and to expand our common platform of data from 221 to 398 country surveys. We then estimate the archetypes, compositions, and coordinates from these 398 surveys, however for the remainder of this chapter we focus primarily on those results that relate to Wave 7 of the E&WVS surveys (2017 to 2021). This focus provides a snapshot of global culture based on the latest available data at the time of writing and for the 83 countries included in Wave 7. It also allows us to illustrate our results in a relatively straightforward manner, without the complication of dynamics. Cultural dynamics are then addressed in the subsequent chapter, building on the ideas presented here, particularly the two-dimensional MDS map of global culture which we introduce in this chapter. Finally, we close the chapter with some conclusions on the unity and diversity of the global matrix, as seen through the lens of the Wave 7 snapshot.