State Building and Religious Resources: An Institutional Theory of Church-State Relations in Iran and Mexico
Author(s)
Gill, Anthony; Keshavarzian, Arang
Abstract
Religion has been important in a number of localities such as Peru, Iran and Mexico. There was a view that religion would become less important as societies modernized, but this has not proved to be the case. Relations between state and church can be viewed from a perspective that is interest-based and institutional. This is a more fruitful approach than simply focusing on ideas. Religious authorities may have more power in the initial phases of developing a state, and their power may be eroded as secular rivals are eliminated by state officials.
