Final answer:
The biggest shift in popular values since World War II, as noted by Ronald Inglehart, is the move from material to post-material values in a shift from modernity to postmodernity, deeply influenced by the evolution of industrial to postindustrial societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Ronald Inglehart, the biggest shift in popular values since World War II is the transition from material to post-material values. This shift aligns with the transition from modernity to postmodernity, reflecting a move from an industrial to a post-industrial society and the intensification of work discipline, global trade, and technological pervasiveness.
As economies like the United States shifted from manufacturing to services and information in the 1970s, this cultural transformation also brought about a change in the social fabric, emphasizing individualism and personal identity over collective family or group identities.
This era saw an increase in consumerism and the development of a consumer culture, with a focus on leisure and expendable income. The globalization of production and consumption patterns, alongside a recognition of textuality in experiences, has influenced societal values. This period also led to an increased sense of isolation and alienation, as self-reliance became more expected in societies stressing individual paths and success.
In summary, post-war economies and cultural landscapes have been characterized by an ever-greater emphasis on self-expression, consumption habits, and technology, marking a significant shift in societal values and informing concepts of identity.