Religion and political engagement

Abstract

The present research examined Relationship between Religion and political engagement in Iran. Political engagement is very important for political stability and dynamism of societies. Political engagement has been one of the concerns of thinkers and cultural and intellectual circles of the world in recent years. The necessity of the participation of the youth is something which has been seriously taken into account in different phases of the development process of societies. The importance of Political Behavior is to the extent that in national strategic planning, developing regulated participation of people in decision-making procedures has considered as a strategy. Survey method was employed here for collecting and analyzing data. The research population included the entire citizens of the city of Isfahan in September and October of 2011. The sample included 360 people who were selected by cluster-sampling. For data collection, questionnaire was employed whose validity and reliability were evaluated using formal method and Cronbach’s Alpha. Results showed that there exists a direct relationship between the level of religiousness and Political Behavior. According to these findings, we may expect higher Political Behavior among people in religious societies.

Keywords:

• religiousness
• political behavior
• intrinsic religiousness
• extrinsic religiousness

Public Interest Statement

In this study, we utilize precise measures of various religious behaviors, traditions, intrinsic religiousness, extrinsic religiousness and beliefs to examine their influence on political engagement. The authors tried an appropriate understanding of the concept political engagement. Political engagement can take on many different forms, including voting, cognitive, indirect political engagement, and direct political engagement. The research population included the entire citizens of the city of Isfahan in September and October of 2011. Results showed that there exists a direct relationship between the level of religiousness and Political Behavior. According to these findings, we may expect higher Political Behavior among people in religious societies. Religious commitment is not a source of political objectivity, but helps people make sense of a large and confusing world that is constantly challenging strongly and deeply held beliefs. The results of my research will prove that religion does matter to the political identities of the Iranian populous. Also, religious sentiment is extremely influential in the political process.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jafar Aghazadeh

Jafar Aghazadeh (PhD) is currently an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Iran. He has a PhD in History work from University of Isfahan, Iran. He has experience in analyzing political and historical issues of Iran. Her research interests encompass data analysis on Historical concepts, identity, class, religiosity and civic engagement. He is currently engaged in a research Historical and social identity in Iran. Aghazadeh is currently the Head of the History Department at the University Of Mohaghegh Ardabili Iran.

Reza Mahmoudoghli

Reza Mahmoudoghli (PhD) is currently an assistant professor of political science at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Iran. He has a PhD in political science work and social policy from University of Isfahan, Iran. His research areas include Social context and discursive text, Political Concepts, Religiosity, Political Participation, Online Political Activism and Quantitative data analysis.