Decentralized and Democratized: How Religious Organization Affects Freedom

Publication Date

2026

Presentation Length

15 minutes

College

College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

Department

Political Science, Department of

Student Level

Undergraduate

Faculty Mentor

Nathan Griffith

Presentation Type

Talk/Oral

Summary

Tocqueville famously argued in 1835 that religion in the United States contributed indirectly to democratic life by encouraging certain social values. Building on this insight, this study examines whether the organizational structure of religion influences levels of democratic freedom across countries. Rather than focusing on the identity of specific religions, the analysis emphasizes the degree of decentralization and internal heterogeneity within the world religions. Using cross-national data, the study evaluates the relationship between religious organization and democratic freedom across approximately 180 countries. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression is used to test whether countries whose majority religions are more decentralized exhibit higher freedom scores, while controlling for region, education, religious composition, and secular affiliation. The findings will suggest whether or not decentralized religious institutions contribute to social values compatible with democratic governance.

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