Abstract
The present study investigated the relationship between level of education and liberalization values in large, representative samples administered in 96 countries around the world (total N = 139,991). These countries show meaningful variation in terms of the Human Development Index (HDI), ranging from very poor, developing countries to prosperous, developed countries. We found evidence of cross-level interactions, consistently showing that individuals’ level of education was associated with an increase in their liberalization values in higher HDI societies, whereas this relationship was curbed in lower HDI countries. This enhanced liberalization mindset of individuals in high HDI countries, in turn, was related to better scores on national indices of innovation. We conclude that this ‘education amplification effect’ widens the gap between lower and higher HDI countries in terms of liberalized mentality and economic growth potential. Policy implications for how low HDI countries can counter this gap are discussed.
Highlights
Education increases human capital and, in turn, innovation and economic growth [1, 2]
Because educational systems are more successful in creating human capital in developed countries than in less prosperous countries [3, 4], participation in education contributes to the economic differences between these countries
The results of this study show that an individual’s level of education is more strongly related to having a liberalized mindset in higher Human Development Index (HDI) compared to lower HDI countries
Summary
Education increases human capital and, in turn, innovation and economic growth [1, 2]. Because educational systems are more successful in creating human capital in developed countries than in less prosperous countries [3, 4], participation in education contributes to the economic differences between these countries. Education fosters the acquisition of skills and knowledge, and sustains liberalization values in the form of autonomy and personal freedom [5, 6]. The goal of the present study is to uncover the role of this ‘liberalizing’ effect of education in the impact of education on economic differences among countries. We aim to show that as individuals participate more in education, they develop a more liberalized mindset, which in turn increases a country’s innovation potential. We hypothesize that in this respect the benefits are greater in developed countries than in developing countries
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