In the past few years, several EQUALSOC participants have engaged in a discussion about whether peoples’ aspiration levels have became increasingly Europeanised, or not (Fahey and Smith 2004, Fahey 2005, Delhey and Kohler 2006, Fahey 2007, Kohler 2007, Whelan and Maitre 2007, Delhey and Kohler 2008, Whelan and Maitre 2008). Although the discussion so far has led to a number of interesting insights, the empirical evidence to date is not sufficient to allow us to make a decisive choice between the contradictory views that have been expressed. The reason is that the empirical work is based on secondary analysis of existing data sets that do not allow the design of a generally acceptable kind of a “crucial test” between the two hypotheses.
The aim of our project is to design a framework for a collection of primary data suitable to move into the direction of such a crucial test. The project brings together the most committed proponents of both hypotheses, together with some informed outsiders. The goal of this process is that the proponents of either side first come to an agreement on what kind of evidence they would accept as evidence for the hypothesis of their opponent, and/or as evidence against their own hypothesis. Starting from this agreement a module for a survey questionnaire might be developed, and steps into the direction of an implementation of the module in international comparative survey programs might be undertaken. The project group has agreed in principle to seek to develop an appropriate module for submission for inclusion in the European Social Survey.
Start Research INCDIS: Income Distribution, Consumption and Income Mobility Transnationalisation of Reference Groups
Transnationalisation of Reference Groups