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Political Contestation, Secularization, and Religious Supply: Why is Morality Policy so Restrictive in the Faroe Islands?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 September 2015

Kees van Kersbergen  and
Erla Leifsdóttir Lindberg
Kees van Kersbergen*
Affiliation:
Aarhus University
Erla Leifsdóttir Lindberg*
Affiliation:
Aarhus University
*
Address correspondents and reprint requests to: Kees van Kersbergen, Aarhus University, Department of Political Science and Government, School of Business and Social Sciences, Building 1331, Bartholins Allé 7, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. E-mail: kvk@ps.au.dk; or to Erla Leifsdóttir Lindberg, Aarhus University, Department of Political Science and Government, School of Business and Social Sciences, Building 1331, Bartholins Allé 7, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. E-mail: erlap85@hotmail.com
Address correspondents and reprint requests to: Kees van Kersbergen, Aarhus University, Department of Political Science and Government, School of Business and Social Sciences, Building 1331, Bartholins Allé 7, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. E-mail: kvk@ps.au.dk; or to Erla Leifsdóttir Lindberg, Aarhus University, Department of Political Science and Government, School of Business and Social Sciences, Building 1331, Bartholins Allé 7, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. E-mail: erlap85@hotmail.com
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Abstract

The Nordic countries pursue permissive policies with regard to morality issues. There is, however, one exception: the Faroe Islands. This country pursues remarkably conservative policies. Drawing on morality issue theory, secularization theory, and the supply side theory of religion, we develop a framework that explains the political dynamics around morality issues and policies in this country. We contribute to the understanding of the various ways in which religion can enter politics by showing how and why a minimal politicization of morality issues can coincide with a strong religious wording of such issues in a context where a high level of religiosity stands out. Religious vitality came about because religion became attached to the nationalist and language struggle, which encouraged religious activity. The ample supply of religion accounts for religious vitality, which, in turn, explains why religion continues to play in morality politics.

Type
Articles
Information
Politics and Religion , Volume 8 , Issue 4 , December 2015 , pp. 772 - 796
Copyright
Copyright © Religion and Politics Section of the American Political Science Association 2015 

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