Religion and democratization in Africa

Haynes, Jeff

doi:10.1080/1351034042000234530

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…However, as Haynes has noted, their authority and influence were often limited. 43 As in the first anti-colonial democratic revolution, Ranger does not consider the role of charismatic churches during this era to be substantial. Ranger's depiction of the 'third democratic revolution', which he dates from the early 1990s to the present, ascribes a different role altogether to charismatic churches.…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

Spiritual capital and democratization in Zimbabwe: a case study of a progressive charismatic congregation

Ganiel

2009

Democratization

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mentioning

confidence: 98%

Spiritual capital and democratization in Zimbabwe: a case study of a progressive charismatic congregation

Ganiel

2009

Democratization

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“…Yet, as long as it is used with caution regarding its diversity over space, scale, function and ability to engender democracy, then it can be useful as a tool for examining the nature of collective association and action in a range of ways around the world. Part of this caution must also be influenced by theoretical developments that are increasingly acknowledging the importance of a Gramscian approach to civil society that recognises it as a ‘potential battleground’ (Haynes 2004) that can maintain the status quo as well as provide an arena of resistance and progress. Indeed, it is argued here that this more sophisticated theoretical interpretation is now converging with the development policy discourses where attitudes towards civil society have cooled somewhat in recent years (also Mitlin et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Local to Global to Transnational Civil Society: Re‐Framing Development Perspectives on the Non‐State Sector

McIlwaine

2007

Geography Compass

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This article outlines the meanings of civil society covering theoretical and development policy debates. It traces the evolution of conceptualisations of civil society noting how diversity in type, function and scale are critical in understanding these changes. The role of non‐governmental organisations within development policy is explored highlighting how the euphoria over civil society has been tempered over time, reflecting how Gramscian interpretations have begun to replace neo‐Tocquevillian viewpoints. The article also examines how civil society operates over different scales from local to global to transnational, assessing and critiquing the rise of global civil society or what is more appropriately called ‘transnational civil society’. The article finishes by highlighting the importance of diasporic civil society in relation to migrant groups especially from a development viewpoint as well as the need for more research on this issue. Conceptually, the article argues for a more sophisticated Gramscian interpretation of civil society that also recognises the importance of spatiality in the complex interpenetration between an increasingly extra‐territorialised state and an increasingly transnational civil society. Thus, it presents a re‐framing of development perspectives on the non‐state sector from local to global to transnational scales.

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“…38 For example, Haynes analyses the role of both elite level leaders and popular religious movements across the continent, concluding that while there have been important examples in which religion has played a democratizing role (such as South Africa), on the whole 'religious actors have not been able to help advance democracy beyond a stage often characterized by cosmetic rather than substantial changes'. 39 Ranger's recent edited volume updates and at times challenges this conclusion. 40 Ranger divides Africa's democratic history into three phases, and explores the role of the churches during each era or 'revolution'.…”

Section: Democratizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spiritual capital and democratization in Zimbabwe: a case study of a progressive charismatic congregation

Ganiel¹

2013

Religion and Democratizations

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Throughout Africa, charismatic Christianity has been caricatured as an inhibitor of democratization. Its adherents are said either to withdraw from the rough and tumble of politics ('pietism') or to preach a prosperity gospel that encourages believers to pour their resources into their churches in the hope that God will 'bless' them. Both courses of action are said to encourage such people to be politically quietist, with no interest in democratization or other forms of political activity. This is said to thwart democratization. This article utilizes an ethnographic case study of a 'progressive' charismatic congregation in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 2007, to provide evidence that 'pietism' and 'prosperity' are not the only options for charismatic Christianity. Drawing on the concept of 'spiritual capital', it argues that some varieties of charismatic Christianity have the resources to contribute to democratization. For example, this congregation's self-styled 'de-institutionalization' process is opening up new avenues for people to learn democratic skills and develop a worldview that is relationship-centred, participatory, and anti-authoritarian. The article concludes that spiritual capital can be a useful tool for analysing the role of religions in democratizations. It notes, however, that analysts should take care to identify and understand what variety of spiritual capital is generated in particular situations, focusing on the worldviews it produces and the consequences of those worldviews for democratization.

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Religion and democratization in Africa

Cited by 15 publications

References 18 publications

Spiritual capital and democratization in Zimbabwe: a case study of a progressive charismatic congregation

Spiritual capital and democratization in Zimbabwe: a case study of a progressive charismatic congregation

From Local to Global to Transnational Civil Society: Re‐Framing Development Perspectives on the Non‐State Sector

Spiritual capital and democratization in Zimbabwe: a case study of a progressive charismatic congregation

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