Protestantism as Conducive and Syncretism as a Hindrance to South Africa's Democratic Development

Nicola de Jager

《Taiwan Journal of Democracy》 13卷1期 (2017/07) Pp. 13-33

摘要

Previous research has examined the link between political culture, as a manifestation of Protestantism, and democratic development. Arguments include that Protestantism generates a political culture that values individualism, liberty, egalitarianism, tolerance, pluralism, and civic association. These values, in turn, are conducive to the development of a liberal democracy. However, much of this research has been conducted in countries associated with the first wave of democratization. The question remains whether there is a relationship between Protestantism and democratic development in transitional states, as found, for example, in southern Africa. This essay seeks to investigate this influence by comparing South Africa with sub-Saharan Africa. The essay addresses three questions: Is there a positive association between Protestantism and democratic development? If so, what has its influence been in South Africa, which has a predominantly Protestant population? In the light of South Africa's limited democratic development, what have the hindrances been? It is argued that syncretism is a possible hindrance to democratic development in South Africa. Survey data from the Pew Forum are used to understand South Africa’s political culture in comparison to that of sub-Saharan Africa.

關鍵字

Democratic development ； political culture ； Protestantism ； South Africa

參考文獻

Pew Forum, “Christian Population as Percentages of Total Population by Country” (2011), http://www.pewforum.org/2011/12/19/table-christian-population-as-percentages-of-total-populationby-country/ (accessed May 11, 2016).

World Values Survey, “WVS Wave 6 (2010-2014): South Africa” (2013), http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/ WVSDocumentationWV6.jsp (accessed May 11, 2016).

Bruce, Steve(2004).Did Protestantism Create Democracy?.Democratization.11(4),1-20.

Anderson, John(2004).Introduction: Religion, Democracy and Democratization.Democratization.11(4),1-2.

Ferguson, Niall(2011).Civilisation: The Six Killer Apps of Western Power.London:Penguin Books.