Comparative Politics

Abstract

In this chapter I examine the role of religion in politics. I focus on four major influences: (1) religious identity, (2) religious worldviews, beliefs, doctrines and theologies, (3) religious legitimacy, and (4) religious institutions, especially their influence in political mobilization. I also examine one of the results of this influence, government policy. I focus on four types of government policy. First, official religion policy dividing government religion policy into 13 categories which represent a continuum between the countries which officially most strongly link themselves to a single religion to those that are hostile to all religion. Second, I examine 51 ways governments support religion. Third, I survey 29 ways governments restrict, regulate, and control religion in general. Finally, I discuss 31 ways governments restrict religious minorities in a manner not applied to the majority religion.