This work questions whether the spread of Protestantism in Latin America had reinforced an authoritarian political culture or deepened nascent democracy. Crude conspiracy theories about the spectre of conservative corporatist Protestantism and the triumphalist vision of a Protestant reformation as the harbinger of democracy are laid to rest by this balanced critique of the literature of religion and politics in Latin America. The author investigates the impact religious affiliation has on political activity and belief, and the power of non-denominational religious beliefs on Latin American...

After more than 500 years of marginalization, Latin America's forty million Indians have recently made major strides in gaining political recognition and civil rights. In this book, social scientists explore the important role of religion in indigenous activism, showing the ways that religion has strengthened indigenous identity and contributed to the struggle for indigenous rights in the region.

Drawing on case studies from Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Mexico, the contributors explore four key questions. How have traditional religions interacted with...

The book brings together twelve original essays that document and explore competing explanations for how and why conversion has occurred.

The Politics of the Spirit is a masterful study of the political effects of evangelical Protestantism in Central America. Timothy Steigenga's thoughtfully crafted work questions whether the spread of Protestantism in Latin America has reinforced authoritarian elements in political culture or deepened nascent democracy. Steigenga provides a thorough review of the literature on religion and politics in Latin America, putting many of the hypotheses generated in this literature to the test through an analysis of comparative survey data and qualitative interviews. Steigenga investigates the impact...