Spiritual Values, Religious Practices, and Democratic Attitudes

    Authors

    M. Kim

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Polit. Relig.

    Keywords

    TOLERANCE; EUROPE; Political Science; Religion

    Abstract

    Using data from the 1999-2001 World Values and European Values Surveys, this article examines the impact of spiritual values and religious practices on democratic attitudes in twenty countries throughout Western Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Africa. I assume that a reciprocal interaction between national conditions and individual orientations shapes support for democracy. Religious commitment as theological orthodoxy and attendance at religious services does not strengthen democratic views. Instead, explicitly political and cultural variables explain approval for democratic principles, particularly among industrialized countries. Individuals who express a low fear of threatening groups also back democratic institutions, regardless of a nation's industrialization. Among religious affiliations, Protestants in developing countries advocate democratic values. So do Muslims in industrialized countries. Nonmembers of religious institutions, however, are less likely to uphold democratic attitudes.

    Journal Title

    Politics and Religion

    Volume

    1

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2008

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    216

    Last Page

    236

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000270261700003

    ISSN

    1755-0483

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