Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF FAITH ON FOREIGN POLICY ATTITUDES IN THE UNITED STATES

Roy, Oindrila

Abstract Details

2014, PHD, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Political Science.
By means of analyzing public opinion, particularly of those who are more religiously active than others, this project identifies a potential source of foreign policy decision making in the U.S. In so doing, it tests the conventional wisdom which suggests that religious background—especially evangelical identity—is instrumental in driving a distinct set of foreign policy preferences. On the basis of a rigorous statistical analysis of survey data from the American National Election Studies, the project shows that the influence of religious factors on public opinion is more complicated than the simple logic of the conventional wisdom. While religious identity is rarely instrumental in shaping attitudes independently, beliefs in the authority of Scriptures, and worship attendance habits matter more. Even when such beliefs and behavior influence attitudes independently, they do not outperform the effects of political predispositions altogether. Also, religious factors seem to exhibit substantial mediated effects via political predispositions. Finally, contrary to popular understanding, the findings from this project suggest that in a comparison of chief executives since 1980, President George W. Bush did not have a unique impact on the foreign policy attitudes of the evangelical laity. On the whole, the analysis indicates that the foreign policy makers of this country are not constrained by public sentiments that are predominantly driven by religious considerations. When Americans think about the role of their nation abroad, their perceptions are conditioned by other important factors including political predispositions, demographic make-up, and socio-economic status.
Ryan Claassen (Committee Co-Chair)
Steven Hook (Committee Co-Chair)
Andrew Barnes (Committee Member)
John Green (Committee Member)
143 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Roy, O. (2014). EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF FAITH ON FOREIGN POLICY ATTITUDES IN THE UNITED STATES [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1416593434

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Roy, Oindrila. EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF FAITH ON FOREIGN POLICY ATTITUDES IN THE UNITED STATES . 2014. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1416593434.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Roy, Oindrila. "EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF FAITH ON FOREIGN POLICY ATTITUDES IN THE UNITED STATES ." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1416593434

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)