Doctoral Dissertation Research in Political Science: Religion and Democratization in Christian and Islamic Societies

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This Doctoral Dissertation Research project studies the role of religion in the development of democracy. While scholars, policymakers and journalists assert a strong relationship between religion and democracy, most focus on the type of religion prevalent in a country rather than on the processes through which religion affects political outcomes. This project outlines and tests a theory that identifies organizational and societal factors; rather than religious doctrine and ideology; as the main mechanisms that connect religion to politicalaction in support of democratic transition. It uses a mixed methodological approach,including quantitative analysis of national-level empirical data and qualitative analysisof interviews and observations obtained in the course of field work in the EurasianRepublics of Armenia and Georgia.Quantitative analysis of data on the structure of religious organizations and thereligious composition of societies will be used to uncover trends regarding the impact ofreligion on democratic transition and consolidation. An original data set is constructedthat contains variables from over 120 countries across Europe, Asia, Latin America, andAfrica. To supplement the data analysis, interviews of religious leaders, governmentofficials and lay observers from the field will attempt to uncover the motivations behindpolitical action by religious groups and the aspects of religious beliefs, practices, andorganization that are most relevant to politics.This study will contribute to scholarship on democratization by focusing on components ofreligion and the paths through which they influence the processes of democratic transitionand consolidation. It will focus on theory-building in an area of scholarship that lacksestablished and tested theories. It will serve to unite fields of inquiry based on theexamination of ideology, mass political behavior, political values, group organization andgroup competition as they relate to regime change and stability. The study will alsocontribute qualitatively to the field of religion and politics by compiling data onEastern Christianity and Islam that other scholars can use to perform comparative studieswith other religious traditions. Examination of restrictions on religious practice andcompetition among religious groups will aid in understanding the role of foreign-basedreligious groups and the rise of religious extremism in developing democracies. Finally,focusing on former communist societies will allow for study of the effect of the easing ofrestrictions on religious practice and other forms of expression on the politicalactivities of religious groups.Broader Impact: This project will have a broader impact outside of the field of political science, as democratization and the rise of religious movements are currently relevant issues in politics and important to the international community. The data that this study willcompile will have particular significance for policymakers, consultants and NGOs involvedin promoting democratic development, human rights, and civil society in both the Eurasianregion and other areas of the world. The actions of religious groups affect the peace andstability of regimes in the region specifically, and transnational religious movementsgaining popularity in these areas impact Eurasia; neighbors and the international community.