Ideological Priors Inventory
A multidimensional tool for understanding worldviews
The Ideological Priors Inventory is an innovative survey instrument that maps the deep beliefs and values shaping how people navigate the world. Originally introduced by Thomas Homer-Dixon in his 2020 book Commanding Hope, the Ideological Priors Inventory is a practical 16-item survey tool developed in collaboration with the Canadian polling firm Environics and tested across Canada and the United States.
Unlike traditional ideology measures that reduce complex beliefs to simple Left-Right categories, the Ideological Priors Inventory reveals worldviews across multiple dimensions—including Order-Chaos, Hierarchy-Equality, Tradition-Innovation, and Individualism-Collectivism.
By placing individuals and groups in this multidimensional "ideological state space," the Ideological Priors Inventory makes it possible to visualize how worldviews differ across communities.
We believe that such analysis could expose unexpected areas of similarity or conflict, and identify entirely new worldviews that are better aligned with a more resilient and hopeful world.
This instrument has broad potential applications: helping organizations engage constructively across ideological divides, enabling conflict-sensitive communication, supporting democratic dialogue, and providing researchers with a more nuanced understanding of how core beliefs connect to attitudes and behaviours on complex policy issues.
Ideological Priors and the Energy Transition
The Cascade Institute is currently applying the Ideological Priors Inventory to understand how worldviews shape public responses to the shift to clean energy amid escalating climate risks. By examining how the Ideological Priors Inventory's core belief dimensions relate to real-world energy decisions—from the permitting of geothermal and wind projects to the upgrading of grid infrastructure—this project provides practical guidance for communities, energy planners, and policymakers seeking to accelerate the transition while reducing polarization.
The project is producing peer-reviewed research, an interactive web demonstration tool, and practical briefings that show how to align energy initiatives with community values, identify potential flashpoints before they escalate, and engage more effectively across ideological differences.
By understanding not just what people believe but how their worldviews are structured, the Ideological Priors Inventory helps navigate the ideological dimensions of energy transition with greater insight and less conflict.
Dr. Shandell Houlden
Dr. Shandell Houlden is a researcher with the Democracy program. Her work focuses on how polarization intersects with energy transformation and climate change, with attention to governance, communication, and public trust. She holds a PhD in English and Cultural Studies from McMaster University and has published widely on the intersections of power, technology, and education in the digital age.
Dr. Thomas Homer-Dixon
Dr. Simone Philpot is a Fellow with the Polycrisis program. She combines systems modelling with qualitative research, focusing on conflict modeling and decision analysis. She has previously applied her expertise to water resources management, aggregate mining, and marine shipping. She holds a PhD in Geography and Environmental Management, from the University of Waterloo.
This research is supported by the Accelerating Community Energy Transformation initiative, to which the Cascade Institute brings system theory analysis and complex problem-solving experience to the challenge of unlocking high-leverage interventions.
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