Two scales

The economy is one scale. Social values are another.

One scale measures the economy: more State or more market. The other measures social values: change faster or conserve.

A person can be on one side of one scale and on the other side of the other. Someone who wants low taxes can support same-sex marriage. Someone who wants more health spending can be against abortion.

The social scientist Monalisa Soares, of the Federal University of Ceará, warns that people often confuse the two: right with conservative, left with liberal on social values.