Bloodless Coup

Can We Say the Relationships Associated with Wealth and Voting Behavior Apply to Inter-State Behavior Too?

Larry Bartels had a column in yesterday's New York Times noting that it's not working-class people who vote at unusual levels on social issues - it's wealthier people.

This holds internationally too right? The green revolution in Europe, or the willingness of states like Germany and the UK to incur the wrath of the Chinese by not sending their leaders to the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, it's the richer countries that have more room to pursue ideological policies, right? Presuming that is true (and correct me if I'm wrong) is Bartels' analysis of the NES data really that surprising? I know What's the Matter With Kansas was influential - but isn't a focus on "what's the matter with Connecticut" more telling about the impact social views and ideology have on state behavior?