alternative view: secularisation and security

sociologist(s):

norris and inglehart

overview

• reject religious market theory as it only applies to America and fails to explain variations of religion in different societies

existential security theory

• a societies variation of religiosity depends on the degree of existential security - the feeling that survival is secure enough that it can be taken for granted

• poor societies

• rich societies

• demand for religion is not constant

• demand us greatest from low income groups and societies because they are less secure

• poor developing countries remain religious while prosperous western countries become more secular

• global population undermines the trend towards secularisation - rich, secure and secular western countries have low population growth

• poor, insecure religious countries have high rates

poor societies

• face life threatening risk, conflict, famine, disease, disasters - high insecurity and high religiosity

rich societies

• less risk and low level of religiosity

europe vs america

• western europe’s is more sexual because the societies are relatively equal and secure with week developed welfare states which reduce insecurity

• america is the most unequal of the rich societies therefore high level of poverty and a weak welfare system means there is more of a religious participation

• higher the welfare the lower the religious participation

ao3

• only use quantitative data about income levels

• norris and inglehart see religion as a netive response to deprivation - ignore positive reasons