THE VALUE BALANCE MODEL OF POLITICAL EVALUATIONS

The value balance model posits two relatively independent value orient ations, security and harmony, to explain individual differences in ada ptation to adversarial left-right political institutions. Combining hi gh and low scores on security and harmony produces four groups, descri bed as security oriented, harmony oriented, dualists and moral relativ ists. Using data from student samples and a general population sample, this paper finds support for the consistency and strength of left-rig ht policy preferences among the security- and harmony-oriented. In con trast, moral relativists and dualists adopt a mix of left and tight vi ews, supporting a compassionate and just society, but being wary of th ose unwilling to play by society's rules. Although moral relativists a nd dualists did not differ overall in their attitude positions, they e ngaged with the political process differently. Moral relativists were more wary of overarching principles, less willing to prioritize politi cal values, spent less rime thinking about their location on a left-ri ght continuum and were more likely to support self-interest voting.