Romania, caught between two worlds

The Informat.ro-INSCOP Barometer shows that a large part of Romanian society (approximately 60%) supports hybrid values, a blend between economic interventionism and cultural conservatism that combines the reflexes of traditional leftism (which exaggerates the role of the state in the economy) and the reflexes of traditional rightism (which emphasizes traditions and national values).

These population preferences can partially explain the adherence to specific political representations of conservative populism. 61.3% of Romanians believe that the state should intervene more in the economy, while only 33% support a free market with minimal interventions, and 58.3% of respondents choose tradition and the preservation of national values, compared to 36.7% who prefer progress and adaptation to modern changes.

Although we are at the peak of a cycle in which the accumulation and economic development of Romania are massive compared to the general pauperization situation of 20 or 30 years ago, the unequal distribution of wealth, the feeling of social insecurity, economic crises, inflation, and various global ideological trends, exacerbated by the informational war, fuel an economic culture in which social security and redistribution are perceived as priorities over market efficiency.

These perceptions are even more intense among the youth (18-29 years old), who are most attached to the idea that the state should intervene more in the economy. However, the proportion of one-third of the population supporting a free market indicates the existence of a consistent base for liberalization policies, especially in certain socio-demographic segments. Regarding cultural conservatism, profile data shows that young people (18-29 years) and those with higher education are massively oriented towards progress and modernization, while older groups and the rural environment favor tradition. The data from the Informat.ro-INSCOP Barometer shows a generational and educational polarization that can translate into political and cultural divides in the medium term. These preferences suggest an orientation towards security and stability, rather than risk and change. Politically, they seemingly create fertile ground for parties or leaders who promise social protection and national identity.

However, almost 4 out of 10 Romanians emphasize progress and modernization. The fact that they are particularly found among the youth, the urban population, and those with higher education shows that, in the long term, Romanian society could evolve towards more openness and modernization, even though conservative reflexes currently dominate. This subject has profound implications for the future of Romania and requires in-depth research. "