Distribution and characteristics of symbolic universes over the European societies

Abstract

This chapter complements the previous with the analysis of the distribution and characteristics of the segments of people associated with the symbolic universes. Analyses comprise seven countries are in. Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom. The aim of these analysis is to understand if and to what extent socio-demographic and psycho-social factors that could play a role in moderating the impact of policies are associated with specific symbolic universes. This aim plays a relevant role in the economy of the whole purpose of the analysis of the cultural milieu. Indeed, it is expected to lead to a better understanding of the role that symbolic universes play in shaping the psycho-social dynamics and more in general the life of European societies, therefore the alleged circular link age between society’s dynamics and symbolic universes. Moreover, it is expected to provide an evaluative framework to the interpretation of symbolic universes. Indeed, due to their nature as systems of meanings, symbolic universes may be analysed in scientific terms, but their evaluation is not a matter of science. On the other hand, the valence associated with the psycho-social correlates (e.g. risk propensity; attitude towards foreigners)—i.e. the functionality of psycho-social correlates with respect to purpose of social development) allows to evaluate symbolic universes associated to them too. In other words, symbolic universes detected by the analysis may not be evaluated in themselves, but in their progressive/regressive valence, namely in terms of the social desirability of their psycho-social correlates. It is worth adding that we do not assume a deterministic top-down explicative linkage between symbolic universes and psycho-social dimensions. Rather, based on the SCPT framework, we assume that psychological dimensions are a constitutive component of symbolic universes—namely the way the latter are enacted at the individual level (Heft 2013; Salvatore and Venuleo 2013).