Existential security theory

Existential security theory

Norris and Inglehart reject religious market theory on the grounds that it only applies to America and fails to explain the variations in religiosity between societies.

They argue that the reason for such variations is not different degrees of religious choice, but different degrees of existential security - 'the feeling that survival is secure enough that it can be taken for granted.'

• Religion meets a need for security, and so groups and societies where people feel insecure have a high level of demand for religion. These tend to be…