Conspiracy vs Populism

Anonymous version for reviewers: This dataset and accompanying materials represent data collected from a public opinion survey conducted in Italy in July 2024. The survey was administered through online interviews using the Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) method. The sample includes 1,558 adult residents of Italy, distributed across various demographics including region, gender, age, and political affiliation, with data weighted according to the latest ISTAT parameters.

The survey covers various topics, including political behaviour, conspiracy beliefs, populism, trust in public institutions, social dominance orientation, right-wing authoritarianism, and personal satisfaction. Respondents were asked about their voting choices in the 2024 European elections, their views on conspiracy theories, their trust in Italian political and health institutions, and their social and political attitudes.

Technical info (English)

Codebook

The survey was conducted through online interviews using the CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) method within a sample of 1,558 adults residing in Italy, distributed by area of residence, gender, age, and the party voted for in the 2024 European elections.

The interviews were administered between 10 and 19 July 2024.

The methods used to identify the final units were random, similar to probabilistic samples. All parameters are aligned with the most recent data provided by ISTAT. The data were weighted to ensure representativeness concerning area of residence, age, gender, and the party voted for in the 2024 European elections. The statistical margin of error for the reported data is 2.5% with a 95% confidence interval.

Variable name

Variable description

Variable type

Values and coding

ID

Interviewee ID

Numeric

Q006

Interviewee date

String

Date (format: DD/MM/YYYY)

Q008

Gender

Numeric

1 = Male, 2 = Female, 3 = Non-binary/Other

Q009

Date of birth

String

Date (format: DD/MM/YYYY)

Q010

Age

Numeric

Age of the interviewee in years

Q011

Year of birth

Numeric

Year of birth

Q012

Age group

Numeric

1 = 18-24 years, 2 = 25-34 years, 3 = 35-44 years, 4 = 45-54 years, 5 = 55-64 years, 6 = Over 64 years

Q013

Municipality of residence

Numeric

ISTAT code of the municipality of residence

Q014

Region of residence

Numeric

1 = Piedmont 2 = Aosta Valley 3 = Lombardy 4 = Trentino-Alto Adige 5 = Veneto 6 = Friuli Venezia Giulia 7 = Liguria 8 = Emilia Romagna 9 = Tuscany 10 = Umbria 11 = Marche 12 = Lazio 13 = Abruzzo 14 = Molise 15 = Campania 16 = Apulia 17 = Basilicata 18 = Calabria 19 = Sicily 20 = Sardinia, 21=Abroad

Q015

Province of residence

Numeric

Numerical code of the province of residence

Q016

Geographic area (5 macro-areas)

Numeric

1 = North-West 2 = North-East 3 = Centre 4 = South 5 = Islands

Q017

Gender indicator or other (robots/non-binary)

String

1 = Male 2 = Female

Q018

Gender (ZES)

Numeric

1 = Male 2 = Female

Q019

Education level

Numeric

1 = Elementary/no qualification 2 = Lower secondary 3 = Upper secondary in progress 4 = Professional diploma 5 = High school diploma 6 = University in progress 7 = Short university degree 8 = Bachelor’s degree 9 = Master’s degree 10 =postgraduate master's degree, 11=PhD

Q020

Vote cast in the 2024 European elections

Numeric

1 = Brothers of Italy 2 = League 3 = Forza Italia 4 = Democratic Party 5 = Green-Left Alliance 6 = Five Star Movement 7 = United States of Europe 8 = Calenda’s Action 9 = Peace Land Dignity 10 = Freedom of De Luca 11 = Other party 12 = Did not vote 13 = Blank/null vote 14 = Prefer not to say

Q021

Vote cast in the 2024 European elections (second control variable)

Numeric

1 = Brothers of Italy 2 = Lega 3 = Forza Italia 4 = Democratic Party 5 = Green-Left Alliance 6 = Five Star Movement 7 = United States of Europe 8 = Calenda’s Action 9 = Peace Land Dignity 10 = Freedom of De Luca 11 = Other party 12 = Did not vote 13 = Blank/null vote 14 = Prefer not to say

Q022_01

The government carries out secret acts of violence

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Neither agree nor disagree 4 = Agree 5 = Strongly agree

Q022_02

Events manipulated by small secret groups

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Neither agree nor disagree 4 = Agree 5 = Strongly agree

Q022_03

Evidence of alien contact hidden from the public

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Neither agree nor disagree 4 = Agree 5 = Strongly agree

Q022_04

Experiments on drugs conducted without consent

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Neither agree nor disagree 4 = Agree 5 = Strongly agree

Q022_05

Advanced technologies hidden for personal interests

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Neither agree nor disagree 4 = Agree 5 = Strongly agree

Q023_01

Immigration and the replacement of European populations

Numerica

1 = Completely true, 2 = Mostly true, 3 = Neither true nor false, 4 = Mostly false, 5 = Completely false

Q023_02

Creation of viruses like COVID-19 in a laboratory

Numerica

1 = Completely true, 2 = Mostly true, 3 = Neither true nor false, 4 = Mostly false, 5 = Completely false

Q023_03

Population control through vaccines and 5G

Numerica

1 = Completely true, 2 = Mostly true, 3 = Neither true nor false, 4 = Mostly false, 5 = Completely false

Q023_04

Aliens and their alleged presence among politicians

Numerica

1 = Completely true, 2 = Mostly true, 3 = Neither true nor false, 4 = Mostly false, 5 = Completely false

Q023_05

The Holocaust and its veracity

Numerica

1 = Completely true, 2 = Mostly true, 3 = Neither true nor false, 4 = Mostly false, 5 = Completely false

Q023_06

Flat Earth theory

Numeric

1 = Completely true, 2 = Mostly true, 3 = Neither true nor false, 4 = Mostly false, 5 = Completely false

Q023_07

Chemtrails and climate control

Numeric

1 = Completely true, 2 = Mostly true, 3 = Neither true nor false, 4 = Mostly false, 5 = Completely false

Q024_01

Politicians and their respect for the people's will

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q024_02

The role of the people in political decisions

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q024_03

Perceived differences between the elite and the people

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q024_04

Preference for a specialised politician vs. an ordinary citizen

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q024_05

Politicians and their work

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q024_06

Compromise in politics

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q025_01

Trust in the Italian Parliament

Numeric

1 = No trust, 11 = Complete trust

Q025_02

Trust in the National Health Service

Numeric

1 = No trust, 11 = Complete trust

Q025_03

Trust in the Italian police forces

Numeric

1 = No trust, 11 = Complete trust

Q025_04

Trust in Italian politicians

Numeric

1 = No trust, 11 = Complete trust

Q026

Italexit - Vote on EU membership

Numeric

1 = Remain in the EU, 2 = Leave the EU, 3 = I would not vote, 4 = Blank or null vote, 5 = I don't know

Q027

Political self-placement from left to right

Numeric

1= (0left), 11= (10right)

Q028

Average time on social networks (daily)

Numeric

1 = Less than 30 minutes, 2 = One hour, 3 = 1-2 hours, 4 = 2-3 hours, 5 = 4-5 hours, 6 = More than 5 hours

Q029_01

Compassion as an important virtue

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q029_02

Respect for authority as a value to be taught

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q029_03

Loyalty to family even in case of wrongdoing

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q030

Overall life satisfaction

Numeric

1 = Not at all satisfied, 11 = Completely satisfied

Q031_01

Trust in others

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q031_02

Attitude toward hiding true motives of an action

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q031_03

Belief in the kindness and goodness of people

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q032_01

Rebellion of young people against authority

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q032_02

Importance of discipline and following leaders

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q032_03

God’s laws on abortion, pornography, and marriage

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q032_04

Premarital relationships

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q032_05

Need for a stricter government

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q032_06

Need to suppress troublemakers to maintain order

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q033_01

Consider the priorities of all groups

Numeric

1 = Extremely opposed, 11 = Extremely favorable

Q033_02

Not pushing for equality among all groups

Numeric

1 = Extremely opposed, 11 = Extremely favorable

Q033_03

Equality between groups as an ideal

Numeric

1 = Extremely opposed, 11 = Extremely favorable

Q033_04

Dominance of superior groups over inferior groups

Numeric

1 = Extremely opposed, 11 = Extremely favorable

Q034_01

Preference for handling complex problems

Numeric

1 = Does not describe me at all, 5 = Describes me very well

Q034_02

Preference for situations requiring a lot of thought

Numeric

1 = Does not describe me at all, 5 = Describes me very well

Q034_03

Preference for tasks that require new solutions to problems

Numeric

1 = Does not describe me at all, 5 = Describes me very well

Q035_01

Ability to understand important political issues

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q035_02

Perception of politicians' effort to stay in touch with people

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q035_03

Confidence in participating in political discussions

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q035_04

Perception that politicians care about the opinions of ordinary people

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q036_01

Perception of being a natural leader

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q036_02

Perception of being special due to others' comments

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q036_03

Experience of being compared to famous people

Numeric

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

Q037

Interviewee ZES code

Numeric

Code from 1 to 60

Q038

Education level (degree vs no degree)

Numeric

1 = No degree, 2 = Degree

weight

Sample weighting variable

String