journal article

Toward a Dynamic Theory of Ethno-religious Conflict

by Jonathan Fox

Nations and Nationalism
vol. 5, iss. 4
pp. 431 - 463
September 1999

A more comprehensive and dynamic theory of religion and conflict is developed here based on the argument that religion has four basic functions in politics, society and conflict: to provide a value-laden belief system; to supply standards and criteria of behavior based on that belief system; to organize adherents through its institutions; and to legitimate actors, actions and institutions. This theory is then integrated into Gurr's theory of ethnic conflict in a dynamic format that is testable in a large-n format.