Modernization and Conservative Protestant Politics

Abstract

This chapter introduces the foundations for the detailed case studies in the book by discussing why modern societies tend to be secular. It investigates the role that Protestantism played in undermining the conditions for its own reproduction and cites the problems that conservative Protestant political movements have faced. At first, the chapter argues that modernization erodes religion through a variety of changes under the headings of social differentiation, societalization, rationalization, and cultural diversity. Then it suggests five basic patterns in order to understand the settings underlying conservative Protestant political movements. It explains that religion diminishes in social except in the contexts of cultural transition and cultural defence. Lastly, the chapter concludes that understanding the nature of the Christian Right in the USA allows an individual to understand why similar movements have not been successful in modern societies.