The Pioneering Protestants

Authors: Timothy Shah Robert Woodberry

April 1, 2004

Robert D. Woodberry and Timothy S. Shah argue that cross-national evidence of a causal association between Protestantism and democracy exists. However, this association is neither direct nor automatic but contingent on several factors, including: 1) the rise of religious pluralism and the mutual independence of church and state; 2) the development of democratic theory and practice; 3) civil society and independent associational life; 4) mass education; 5) printing and the origins of a public sphere; 6) economic development; and 7) the reduction of corruption. The authors conclude that while Protestantism has played an important role in fostering democracy, this special association seems to be waning since other religious traditions aid many of the social processes critical to democracy.

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