There’s a really fascinating post at scatterplot from sociologist Tina Fetner. She reports on research with Bob Andersen just published in the American Journal of Political Science. Their interest was sparked by a sudden shift in Canada and the United States towards more accepting attitudes towards same-sex relationships and lesbians and gays - among people from all ages contrary to the usual stickiness of attitudes formed early in the lifecourse. They wondered whether the post-materialist thesis - the idea that when material wealth increases, other issues come to the foreground in such a way as to promote greater tolerance. The new study found:
