An alternative view: secularisation and security

Question 1

Why do Norris and Inglehart (2011) reject religious market theory? America

Answer 1

It only applies to America and fails to explain the variations in religiosity between different societies

Question 2

What is the existential security theory?

Answer 2

• The reason for variations in religiosity between societies is due to different degrees of existential security
• Existential security: the feeling that survival is secure enough that it can be taken for granted
• Poor societies:
  Life-threatening risks such as famine, disease and environmental disasters…
• Rich societies:
  People have a higher standard of living and are less at risk- lower levels of religiosity

Question 3

Evaluation

Answer 3

• Vasquez (2007):
  1. uses only quantitative data, don’t examine people’s own definitions of ‘existential security’
  2. ignore the positive reasons people participate religion for