Existential Security Theory

• Norris and Inglehart (2004) used survey data to measure the extent of secularisation on a global scale

• Drew upon data from 1981-2001 World Values Survey and
  European Values Survey

• Found that secularisation was most common in postindustrial societies and least effective in agrarian societies

• Norris and Inglehart (2004) suggested that religion would not disappear in post-industrial society

• The affluence of societies correlated with religious belief - the more wealthy, the less religious

• Suggested that religion acted as a form of existential security

• those least financially secure needed religion more

Post-industrial Societies:

• Norris and Inglehart (2004) argued that these societies

• largely located in the Western hemisphere - felt secure

• The economic and social development of these nations provided individuals with a sense of security

• Better educational outcomes, healthcare and increased life expectancy influenced religious belief

Agrarian Societies:

• Typified by economic and social insecurity - conflicts, low life expectancy, poor healthcare, agricultural economies

• Need to feel secure and religion fulfilled that function

• Provides reassurance for those who feel vulnerable - faith offers an explanation for their position

Europe is less religious:

• ​Most equal and secure​

• Well-developed welfare systems​

• Free health care​

• Social services​

• Education

America is more religious:

• Less equal​

• More Poverty​

• No free healthcare​

• Poor social services​

• Poor education system​

• More religious than Europe but less religious than poorer countries in Latin America​

State welfare and religiosity:

• Gill and Lundegaarte (2004) found that the more a country depends on welfare, the less religious it tends to be​

• In the past, religious institutions provided welfare, now this tends to be provided by the state​

Conclusions:

• Secularisation is not a global phenomenon - largely confined to Western nations

• The growth of agrarian societies, particularly in population and levels of inequality has led to the growth of religious beliefs

• Religious belief has shifted from the West to the developing world with increases in non-Christian religions

Evaluations:

• Large-scale survey based upon quantitative data, but fails to accurately measure subjective variable of 'existential security'

• Fails to explain the high level of religiosity in the USA, particularly amongst middle classes

• Explains the growth of religious fundamentalism in areas threatened with scarcity as a result of globalisation