What might be the relationship between Protestantism and liberal democracy? Do they share similar tenets like individualism, equality, accountability, and tolerance? Recent scholarship suggests these shared values, manifest a connection between Protestantism and liberal democracy.
On Thursday, 19 November at 1400 GMT, Dr. Obert Hodzi, Lecturer at the University of Liverpool, will argue, to the contrary, that in transitional democracies and hybrid regimes in Africa, faith is politicised and Protestantism is instrumentalized for political expediency. Employing the concept of fatalism and the group theory of religion and politics, his presentation explains how instrumentalisation of Protestantism shapes public orientation toward participation in electoral processes in a manner that results in voter apathy, legitimation of incumbents, and de-legitimation of the political other. In the end, he offers ways to identify and resist said instrumentalisation and possible ways of political participation for people of faith.
You will also want to check out Dr. Hodzi’s recent publication, The End of China’s Non-Intervention Policy in Africa (2018).
