Christianity, Islam, and Liberal Democracy: Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa

241 Pages·2015·2.53 MB·English

by  Robert A. Dowd

Christianity, Islam, and
Liberal Democracy

Christianity, Islam, and
Liberal Democracy
Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa
Robert A. Dowd
1
1
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Dowd, Robert Alfred, 1965– author.
Christianity, Islam and liberal democracy : lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa / Robert A. Dowd.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978–0–19–022521–6 (cloth : alk. paper) 1. Democracy—Religious aspects.
2. Democracy—Africa, Sub-Saharan. 3. Democracy—Nigeria. 4. Christianity and politics—
Africa, Sub-Saharan. 5. Christianity and politics—Nigeria. 6. Islam and politics—
Africa, Sub-Saharan. 7. Islam and politics—Nigeria. 8. Cultural pluralism—Africa,
Sub-Saharan—Religious aspects. 9. Cultural pluralism—Nigeria—Religious aspects.
10. Political culture—Africa, Sub-Saharan. 11. Political culture—Nigeria. I. Title.
BL65.P7D69 2015
201.720967—dc23
2014037386
1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2
Printed in the United States of America
on acid-free paper
To my parents, my family, and others who have inspired me
with their courage, persistence, and patience.

Contents
List of Figures ix
List of Tables xi
Acknowledgments xiii
1. Introduction: Christianity, Islam, and Liberal Democracy 1
2. Time, Place, and the Application of Religion to Politics 20
3. The Role of Religious Leaders 49
4. The Impact of Religious Communities 80
5. A Closer Look at Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda 96
6. The Curious Case of Nigeria 123
7. Important Lessons and New Questions 154
Appendix A: Religious Observance and Liberal Democratic
Ideals in Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda 173
Appendix B: Religious Observance and Liberal Democratic
Ideals in Kano, Enugu, Ibadan, and Jos 177
Notes 181
Bibliography 195
Index 211
vii

List of Figures
1.1 Religious Diversity and Religious-Based Support for Liberal Democratic
Ideals 9
2.1 Dimensions of Political Theologies 34
2.2 Catholic Church’s Political Theologies before and after Vatican II 35
2.3 Catholic Church’s Political Theologies in Chile and Argentina, 1970s 35
2.4 Religious Diversity Probability That Religious Leaders Encourage Actions
and Attitudes Conducive to Liberal Democracy 47
4.1 Marginal Effect: Change in Probability of Voting for a Change in Religious
Group Activity 91
4.2 Marginal Effect: Change in Probability of Voting for a Change in Frequency
of Contact with Religious Leader 91
4.3 Marginal Effect: Change in Probability of Support for Democracy for a
Change in Religious Group Activity 92
4.4 Marginal Effect: Change in Probability of Support for Democracy for a
Change in Frequency of Contact with Religious Leaders 92
5.1 Religious Observance and Voting in Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda 117
5.2 Religious Observance and Political Discussions in Nigeria, Senegal, and
Uganda 118
5.3 Religious Observance and Support for Religious Liberty in Nigeria, Senegal,
and Uganda 119
6.1 Map of Religions in Nigeria and Sites of Survey 124
6.2 Sites of Inter-Religious Violence in Nigeria 128
6.3 Religious Observance and Voting 134
6.4 Religious Observance and Frequency of Political Discussions 135
6.5 Religious Observance and Support for Religious Liberty 136
ix