A counterexample to secularization theory? Assessing the Georgian religious revival
Details
Download: Stolz et al. - 2023 - A counterexample to secularization theory Assessi.pdf (704.25 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_A6024D609E03
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
A counterexample to secularization theory? Assessing the Georgian religious revival
Journal
The British Journal of Sociology
ISSN
0007-1315
1468-4446
1468-4446
ISSN-L
0007-1315
Publication state
Published
Issued date
09/2023
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
74
Number
4
Pages
581-597
Language
english
Abstract
Secularization theory allows for transitory religious revivals under certain conditions, such as extreme societal crises or state weakness. The country of Georgia has witnessed the largest religious revival of Orthodox countries and one of the most striking religious resurgences worldwide. This paper gives both a statistical and historical description of this revival and asks whether it is a counterexample to secularization theory. We show that the main thrust of the religious revival in Georgia lasted 25 years and seized the entire society in what was mainly a period effect. The most significant cause for the revival was a major societal and economic crisis starting in 1985 combined with a very weak state, creating massive individual insecurity. In these circumstances, the Georgian Orthodox Church was able to provide identity for individuals and legitimacy for governments. Other possible causes of the revival-state funding, too rapid modernization, or emigration-can be excluded as primary drivers of the process. The Georgian case shows a situation in which secularization theory expects transitory revivals and is thus not a counterexample.
Keywords
Sociology and Political Science
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
13/03/2023 13:58
Last modification date
14/08/2024 7:26