The Politics of Religious Party Change: Islamist and Catholic Parties in Comparative Perspective

The book "The Politics of Religious Party Change" explores the ideological shift and secularization of religious political parties, comparing the origins of Islamist and Catholic parties in the Middle East and Western Europe, their conflicts with religious authorities, and their different trajectories. It finds that centralized religious authority structures incentivize religious parties to move towards pro-system, secular, and democratic directions, while less centralized structures create more permissive environments for anti-system parties.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Politics of Religious Party Change delves into the profound ideological transformation and secularization of religious political parties, posing the intriguing question of when and why these parties undergo a shift towards less anti-system attitudes. Through a comparative analysis, the book uncovers striking similarities in the historical origins of Islamist and Catholic parties in the Middle East and Western Europe, charting their conflicts with established religious authorities and examining the divergent paths they have taken. By exploring how religious institutional structures shape the actions of religious parties in electoral politics, the book reveals that centralized and hierarchical religious authority structures, such as the Vatican, encourage religious parties to adopt pro-system, secular, and democratic orientations. In contrast, less centralized religious authority structures, exemplified by Sunni Islam, foster more permissive environments, enabling religious parties to exhibit anti-system tendencies and fostering the emergence of freely-formed parties and hybrid party movements.

This insightful exploration of religious party change sheds light on the complex dynamics between religion, politics, and societal transformation. It provides valuable insights into the factors that drive religious parties to adapt and evolve, ultimately contributing to the broader political landscape. By examining the historical origins, conflicts, and divergent trajectories of Islamist and Catholic parties, the book offers a rich tapestry of understanding that will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and anyone seeking to comprehend the evolving dynamics of religious politics in the modern world.

Weight: 640g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009170741