Social Justice and Social Order: Binding Moralities across the Political Spectrum
Two studies explored the relationship between political ideology and endorsement of a range of moral principles. Political liberals and conservatives did not differ on intrapersonal or interpersonal moralities, which require self regulation. However differences emerged on collective moralities, which involve social regulation. Contrary to Moral Foundations Theory, both liberals and conservatives endorsed a group focused binding morality, specifically Social Justice and Social Order respectively. Libertarians were the group without a binding morality. Although Social Justice and Social Order appear conflictual, analyses based on earlier cross cultural work on societal tightness looseness suggest that countries actually benefit in terms of economic success and societal well being when these group based moralities co exist and serve as counterweights in social regulation.
PloS one