Includes bibliographical references (p. 169-175) and index.
1. Studying Political Values -- 2. Value Trends in Western Europe and the United States -- 3. Short-Term Value Change in Western Europe -- 4. Long-Term Value Change in Western Europe -- 5. Education, Security, and Postmaterialism in Western Europe -- 6. The Future of Postmaterialism in Western Europe -- 7. The Structure of Values on Five Continents -- 8. Economic Security and Value Change on Five Continents -- 9. Conclusions -- Appendix: Distribution of the Adult Population in Eight West European Societies, by Years of Birth.