Title

Spiritual Values, Religious Practices, and Democratic Attitudes

Authors

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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