Personality and current political beliefs

Abstract

A sample of 328 subjects completed a questionnaire measuring various political beliefs. Part of the sample also filled in the Dutch NEO-FFI personality inventory. The aims of this study are as follows: (1) to determine the dimensional structure of current political beliefs and (2) to examine the relationship between the dimensions of political beliefs and personality. Factor analysis of the 126 political items reveals four factors referring to general conservatism, humanitarian military interventions, fairness of taxation and general social welfare. Joint factor analysis indicates relationships between personality and political beliefs similar to those reported by Riemann, Grubich, Hempel, Mergl and Richter, 1993.