Norris & Inglehart - reason for the variation in religiosity between societies is different degrees of existential security, 'the feeling that survival is secure enough that it can be taken for granted'.
- Groups and societies where people feel insecure have a high level of demand for religion.
- Explains why the poor remain religious, while Western countries have become more secular.
- BUT they only see religion as a response to deprivation and ignore the positive reasons people have for religious participation.
Europe vs. America:
- Western Europe becoming more secular because these societies are relatively equal with welfare states reducing insecurity, whilst the USA remains religious.
- American is the most unequal of the rich societies, with high poverty levels and a weak welfare system.
- The more a country spends on welfare the lower its level or religious participation.
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