WHY DO STATES COLLAPSE? RELIGIOUS EXPLANATIONS

Most governments in the world are faced with numerous socio-economic constraints that threaten to destabilize them. It may not be the case with such states just collapsing as time goes by, rather, the principle cause of state failure is religion (Van der Veer, 1994). This paper discusses three areas that show the presence of religion, and role it plays to ensure nations come crashing down.

First, developing economies find it hard to provide essential public goods such as education, security, water, and health care to its people. This creates channel through which religion, by providing these services, earns its place in the society (Van der Veer, 1994). This is because religious groups, mostly characterized with the ability to work in gang-like structures, enjoy support from a majority of population (Lee, 2010). For instance, the Egyptian religious group Muslim Brotherhood worked with civilians to earn their trust. As time would have it, they later on led an uprising which toppled an economy that had once been a regional economic powerhouse.

Secondly, weaker economies are incapable of earning a religious autonomy when it comes to decision making. Rather conservative religions will always be against packages related to westernization, civilization, secular bills of rights, development, and capitalism (Lee, 2010). In such cases, religious terrorism grows to breed self proclaimed martyrs who threaten economic stability thus rows (Van der Veer, 1994). World notable groups known for religious terrorism include Al-Qaeda; the Japanese Aum Shinrikyo; Somali Al-Shaabab; and the Christian identity movement opposition on abortion in the US.

Lastly, most emerging countries are breeding grounds for impenetrable religions enjoying god-like treatments from the religious majority.  As most would say, the church is always right, group leaders and their followers display a typical “do as I say or I hurt you” attitude. Additionally, political leaders get elected based on their religious background. Since different religious fronts are always in conflict, they try to outwit each other, by so creating radical groups capable of fighting the state (Van der Veer, 1994).

References

Lee, R. D. (2010). Religion and Politics in the Middle East: Identity, Ideology, Institutions, and Attitudes.    Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

Van der Veer, P. (1994). Religious Nationalism: Hindus and Muslims in India. Berkeley: University of        California Press.

LIONEL SAVAGE INZAHULI