Nationalism and Power in the Evangelical Fold: Exploring the Moderating Effects of Religion on Right-wing Authoritarianism

• In Event: Authoritarian Politics

Abstract

Does conservative religion mitigate or enhance support for right-wing authoritarianism? What tensions over views of religion and public life exist within conservative religious movements, such as evangelicalism, and on what basis? Recent political developments, especially the rise of Trumpian populism, are likely to enhance social and cultural divides within the religious field, especially regarding the promise and peril of nationalism and “strong man” political leaders. We argue that evangelicalism is divided on the value of Christian nationalism and right-wing authoritarianism, a divide that is organized by levels of religious engagement. Using 2023 and 2024 national survey results, we find evidence that evangelical compared to nonevangelical support for Christian nationalism is not as strongly related to support for right-wing authoritarianism. We also find that the relation between religion, Christian nationalism, and right-wing authoritarianism depends on congregational participation, which generates concern for the autonomy of religious organizations that would be threatened by the fusion of religion and nation, or the consolidation of state power in an authoritarian ruler.

Authors

• David Sikkink, University of Notre Dame

• Saehwan Lee, Sogang University