New thesis: Education and place of residence politically divide young people
Education level and urban versus rural residence increasingly influence young people's likelihood of supporting radical right-wing parties, according to a new doctoral thesis by Amanda Almstedt Valldor, PhD candidate in sociology at the Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI), Stockholm University.
"Among younger generations, the relationship between social position and support for radical right-wing parties is stronger than among older people. Young men with lower education living in rural areas tend to vote for parties like the Sweden Democrats to a greater extent, compared to young, highly educated women in cities, who tend to vote for progressive left-wing parties," says Amanda Almstedt Valldor.
The study, based on data from Sweden and other Western European countries, shows that political differences between urban and rural areas, as well as across different education levels, have increased over generations.
The thesis also explores how the field of study influences political values. Results show that individuals who studied humanities and social sciences are less likely to support radical right-wing parties compared to those with technical or agricultural education.
"For instance, each year spent studying social sciences or humanities correlates with developing more progressive attitudes and a lower likelihood of supporting radical right-wing parties. Thus, it appears something inherent in the education itself shapes values," she explains and continues:
"Many believe differences in opinions stem from employment prospects after education. However, the findings suggest that the content and foundational values of the education play a more significant role."
The thesis also challenges established theories linking certain job tasks to political attitudes. Previous research suggested professions such as teachers and nurses are more progressive due to their people-oriented work. However, Amanda Almstedt Valldor found no support for this explanation.
"The theory that job tasks centered around social interactions lead to more progressive values could not be confirmed. Nor could earlier theories suggesting that managerial responsibilities lead to more economically right-oriented views. On the contrary, I found that individuals who took on more managerial tasks over time tended to develop more economically left-oriented views," says Amanda Almstedt Valldor.
She emphasizes that these findings could be important for policymakers aiming to reduce political polarization:
"Reducing inequality and segregation could mitigate the growing political polarization observed among social groups, especially within the younger generation. It’s also crucial to highlight the importance of education in social sciences and humanities for strengthening liberal-democratic values."
About the thesis
Amanda Almstedt Valldor is defending her PhD in sociology at the Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University. Her thesis analyzes the relationship between social position and political attitudes, particularly support for radical right-wing parties, focusing on differences across generations, education levels, and occupational groups. The results are based on quantitative analyses of Swedish and European data.
Contact
Amanda Almstedt Valldor, PhD candidate at the Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University, amanda.valldor@sofi.su.se
Last updated: April 28, 2025
Source: Magnus Dahl