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Education, religion, and voter preference in a Muslim country

Author

Listed:
  • Resul Cesur

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Naci Mocan

    (Louisiana State University, NBER and IZA)

Abstract

Using a unique survey of adults in Turkey, we find that an increase in educational attainment, due to an exogenous secular education reform, decreased women’s propensity to identify themselves as religious, lowered their tendency to wear a religious head cover (head scarf, turban, or burka) and increased the tendency for modernity. We also find that education has a negative impact on women’s propensity to vote for Islamic parties. The effect of female education on religiosity is driven by those who reside in urban areas. There is no statistically significant impact of education on male religiosity and tendency to vote for Islamic parties. Increased education does not influence the propensity to cast a vote in national elections for either men or women.

Suggested Citation

  • Resul Cesur & Naci Mocan, 2018. "Education, religion, and voter preference in a Muslim country," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 31(1), pages 1-44, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jopoec:v:31:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s00148-017-0650-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-017-0650-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education; Religion; Women; Education reform; Secularism;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • J0 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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