Progressive cities: Urban–rural polarisation of social values and economic development around the world

In contrast to the conservative values of rural populations, cities are often seen as bulwarks more tolerant, liberal and progressive values. This urban–rural divide in has become one major fault lines Western democracies, underpinning political events last decade, not least election Donald Trump. Yet, beyond a small number countries, there is little evidence that really than areas. Evolutionary modernisation theory suggests socio-economic development may lead spread progressive, self-expression but provides guidance on role this process. Has an split developed across world? And does gap depend economic country? We answer these questions using large cross-sectional dataset covering 66 countries. Despite inherent challenges identifying operationalising globally-consistent definition what ‘urban’, we show marked significant differences values, defined tolerant attitudes immigration, gender rights family life. These exist even when controlling for observable compositional effects, suggesting do play results only apply at higher levels that, leave behind areas terms satisfying certain material needs prerequisite.