God and Governance: Development, State Capacity, and the Regulation of Religion

Abstract

In this article, we propose a new approach to an old question: How does development affect religion‐state relations? We argue that because development increases states’ ability to effectively formulate and implement policy, it will be associated with greater state regulation of religion. This stands in contrast to predominant theories that examine development's negative impact on individual religiosity while largely overlooking the impact that development may have on state institutions. We test our theory using data drawn from over 160 countries, and demonstrate that the effect of economic development on state regulation of religion is consistently positive, substantively significant, and robust to alternative measurements and the inclusion of a broad range of controls. Statistical analysis also demonstrates that the correlation between development and state regulation of religion is primarily a result of economic development's impact on state capacity, rather than social dislocation or improved coordination by religious communities. Incorporating state capacity recasts the study of religious regulation—and suggests that economic growth is unlikely to take religion off the political agenda.

Catholic Commitment Around the Globe: A 52‐ Country Analysis

“…), and thus are less likely to be influenced by religious‐based understandings. Thus, secularization theory posits that by weakening the power of religious worldviews, modernization dampens individual religiosity (Buckley and Mantilla ). This sets the stage for Hypothesis 1a: H1a:According to the secularization perspective, Catholic adherents living in societies characterized by high levels of modernization will exhibit lower levels of religious commitment. …”

“…In addition, in urban contexts devotees are likely to be exposed to alternative lifestyles and outlooks (Stolz et al 2016), and thus are less likely to be influenced by religious-based understandings. Thus, secularization theory posits that by weakening the power of religious worldviews, modernization dampens individual religiosity (Buckley and Mantilla 2013). This sets the stage for Hypothesis 1a:…”

Ensuring Liberties: Understanding State Restrictions on Religious Freedoms

“…Even when an independent judiciary and free elections hold the state accountable for supporting freedoms promised in the constitution, the state must possess the power and authority to do so (Fox and Flores ). Indeed, David T. Buckley and Luis Felipe Mantilla () have recently argued that state effectiveness helps to explain the relationship between economic development and the state's regulation of religion. They note that “[e]conomic development endows states with greater capacity to legislate and enforce policy decisions regarding religion” (Buckley and Mantilla :329).…”

“…Indeed, David T. Buckley and Luis Felipe Mantilla () have recently argued that state effectiveness helps to explain the relationship between economic development and the state's regulation of religion. They note that “[e]conomic development endows states with greater capacity to legislate and enforce policy decisions regarding religion” (Buckley and Mantilla :329). Buckley and Mantilla maintain that the relationship between state effectiveness and regulation of religion is positive, as increased state capacity opens new possibilities for state engagement in the religious sphere (:332).…”

“…They note that “[e]conomic development endows states with greater capacity to legislate and enforce policy decisions regarding religion” (Buckley and Mantilla :329). Buckley and Mantilla maintain that the relationship between state effectiveness and regulation of religion is positive, as increased state capacity opens new possibilities for state engagement in the religious sphere (:332). We are suggesting, however, that increased effectiveness can heighten states’ abilities to enforce the religious freedom guarantees enshrined in the overwhelming majority of their constitutions.…”