The Origin and Diffusion of Comparative Survey Research

Cross-national, survey research emerged out of and developed along with many seminal megatrends of the 20th century including globalization and democratization. It was also shaped by such major historical events as World War II, post-bellum collective multilateralism, and the spread and collapse of Communism.

The development of cross-national, survey research is an example of what Rogers calls the diffusion of innovation. Public opinion polls were created in the United States in the mid-1930s and spread to other countries. Like all diffusions, its development was innovation specific and was both aided and hindered by particular characteristics of survey research.

Its expansion was part of the general process of globalization. For survey research, globalization involved considerable interaction between the global product (survey research) and the local markets and cultures.

Additionally,  as Oberschall has noted “(t)he expansion of surveys in general and public opinion polling in particular was part of the general growth of democracy within and across societies .”  Surveys in general and public opinion polls in particular typically develop and only thrive in open, democratic societies.  Democratization in general and decolonialization in particular opened up more countries to surveys.

Besides being shaped by these megatrends, the development of cross-national, survey research was influenced by historical events such as World War II, post-war collective multilateralism and the founding of the UN, and the Cold War.

This paper examines 1) the emergence of cross-national, survey research including the role of early adopters  (e.g. survey-research organizations), 2) the initial diffusion of survey research, 3) foundational survey-research meetings and associations, 4) the impact of World War II, 5) the role of the UN and other international organizations including the International Sociological Association, 6) initial comparative surveys, 7) the contributions of international exchanges, 8) later developments, and 9) impediments to development and diffusion.