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Traditional Practices And Support For The Strongman

Author

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  • Riccardo Pelizzo
  • Nygmetzhan Kuzenbayev

Abstract

The new modernization theory has suggested that the pervasiveness of traditional values has a clear impact on the quality of democratic governance. In this contribution to this special issue on the political consequences of traditional beliefs, we explore whether and to what extent the pervasiveness of traditional values and beliefs has a detectable impact on authoritarian attitudes. Specifically, we analyze the relationship between the support for a “strongman” and the acceptability of traditional practices for Muslim respondents from 27 jurisdictions. The results suggest that those who believe that traditional practices, such as the use of sorcery, appealing to jinn, and to the souls of ancestors, are acceptable under Islam are more likely to prefer a strongman to democracy. Notably, we found that respondents’ religiosity does not significantly affect their support for a strongman, raising questions about how accurately traditionality has been measured so far. La nueva teoría de la modernización ha sugerido que la omnipresencia de los valores tradicionales tiene un impacto claro en la calidad de la gobernabilidad democrática. En este artículo, exploramos si, y en qué medida, la omnipresencia de los valores y creencias tradicionales tiene un impacto detectable en las actitudes autoritarias. Específicamente, analizamos la relación entre el apoyo a un “hombre fuerte” y la aceptabilidad de las prácticas tradicionales para los encuestados musulmanes de 27 jurisdicciones. Los resultados sugieren que aquellos que creen que las prácticas tradicionales, como el uso de la hechicería, apelando a los genios y a las almas de los antepasados, son aceptables bajo el Islam, son más propensos a preferir un hombre fuerte a la democracia. En particular, la religiosidad de los encuestados no afecta significativamente su apoyo a un hombre fuerte, lo que plantea dudas sobre la precisión con la que se ha medido la tradicionalidad hasta ahora. 新现代化理论认为,传统价值观的普遍性对民主治理质量具有明显影响。本文中,我们探究了传统价值观和信仰的普遍性是否以及在多大程度上对威权态度产生了可察觉的影响。具体而言,我们对来自27个司法管辖区的穆斯林进行调查,分析了对“独裁者”的支持与传统实践的可接受性之间的关系。结果表明,相信在伊斯兰教中可以接受传统实践(例如使用巫术、吸引精灵和祖先灵魂)的那部分人更有可能偏好独裁者而不是民主。值得注意的是,受访者的宗教性并没有显著影响其对独裁者的支持,这引发了对“迄今为止如何准确衡量传统性”一事的质疑。

Suggested Citation

  • Riccardo Pelizzo & Nygmetzhan Kuzenbayev, 2023. "Traditional Practices And Support For The Strongman," World Affairs, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 186(4), pages 951-977, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:woraff:v:186:y:2023:i:4:p:951-977
    DOI: 10.1177/00438200231203094
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Riccardo Pelizzo & Moise Koepko & Nygmetzhan Kuzenbayev & Abel Kinyondo, 2023. "Traditional Beliefs And Electoral Behavior," World Affairs, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 186(4), pages 925-950, December.
    2. Sara Randall, 2005. "The Demographic Consequences of Conflict, Exile and Repatriation: A Case Study of Malian Tuareg," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 21(2), pages 291-320, June.
    3. Nygmetzhan Kuzenbayev & Riccardo Pelizzo, 2023. "Political Stability, Confidence in the Future, and Values," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-16, February.
    4. Lipset, Seymour Martin, 1959. "Some Social Requisites of Democracy: Economic Development and Political Legitimacy1," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 53(1), pages 69-105, March.
    5. Ahmad Harakan & Riccardo Pelizzo & Nygmetzhan Kuzenbayev, 2023. "Traditional Beliefs And Electoral Behavior In Indonesia," World Affairs, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 186(4), pages 896-924, December.
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    1. Riccardo Pelizzo & Moise Koepko & Nygmetzhan Kuzenbayev & Abel Kinyondo, 2023. "Traditional Beliefs And Electoral Behavior," World Affairs, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 186(4), pages 925-950, December.
    2. Riccardo Pelizzo & Nygmetzhan Kuzenbayev, 2023. "Beyond Religion," World Affairs, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 186(4), pages 978-1018, December.

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