postmaterialism

/P OW1 S T M AH0 T IH1 R IY0 AH0 L IH1 Z AH0 M/
noun
  1. 1

    Someone's placing higher importance on nonmaterialist values such as autonomy and self-expression, as opposed to materialist values such as economic and physical wellbeing.

  2. 2

    (sociology) The theory that a positive correlation exists between one's level of affluence during childhood and such values, and that these persist throughout adulthood irrespective of any changes to one's personal economic circumstances.

  3. 3

    (political science) The theory that political preferences in contemporary affluent (mostly Western) societies are increasingly based on such values, especially with regard to the leftist spectrum, in such a way that parties move away from traditional Marxist materialism.

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