HOW MUCH EUROPEAN YOU ARE? CULTURAL CHANGES OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES IN THE LAST 20 YEARS WITH SURVEY DATA

Abstract

This study deviates from traditional approaches by focusing on data analysis instead of historical information to comprehend the dynamics shaping societal culture. Analyzing the cultural changes in European countries over the past two decades, the study utilizes the largest dataset to date, the Integrated Values Survey. Data from four distinct time periods spanning from 2000 to 2022 have been scrutinized. Expectation Maximization method is employed to address missing data in the dataset, and factor analysis-CLARA clustering algorithm is applied for each time period. The primary objective of this academic endeavor is to understand the dynamics of cultural evolution from a data-centric perspective. This analytical approach provides a robust foundation for comprehending cultural changes and predicting potential future developments.