Global Middle Class Loves Democracy

Pew Research reports that the higher one scales the income ladder, the more one cherishes democracy:

As economically developing countries grow prosperous, their middle classes understandably become more satisfied with their lives. But many of their basic values also appear to change. Over time, the values of the middle classes in emerging countries become more like those of the publics of advanced nations....

The study finds that in 13 middle-income nations from regions around the globe, people tend to hold different opinions about democracy and social issues once they reach a certain level of wealth. Compared with poorer people in emerging countries, members of the middle class assign more importance to democratic institutions and individual liberties, consider religion less central to their lives, hold more liberal social values and express more concern about the environment.

This suggests that any democracy promotion agenda should sideline the push to hold elections immediately and instead focus on elements to nurture and expand this global middle class - particularly now, as its ranks will no doubt be under stress by the recession.

Full results of the Pew study here (pdf).