Religion and State

Why have religious institutions grown more influential in the age of globalization? I argue that the post-Cold War era has seen a bottleneck pressure on religious institutions. Although social, political, and economic developments have reduced overall levels of religiosity, religious leaders and practitioners like have grown more aggressive in their relationship to the state. This body of research explores both politicking by religious actors as well as cooptation and accommodation by secular states. I am especially focused on religious actors’ role in civil society and social capital, and the institutional structures that enable linkages between religion and state.

 

Democracy and Society

How does polarization undermine democracy, and how do we build durable democracies in a changing world? In this project, I explore the relationship between democratic institutions, civil society, and social capital. I argue that democracies rely on strong and independent social institutions. When socio-economic shifts create disparities between winners and losers, those social institutions start to break down. I am particularly interested in identity-based polarization and the degree to which state intervention can improve or exacerbate such tensions.