Religion, parties, and voting behavior: A political explanation of religious influence

Abstract

This article tries to provide a political explanation of religious influence. The article begins by determining how the relationship of religion to politics and voting behavior has changed during the past 4 decades. It looks at why that change has occurred, even if the new religious divisions between the electoral coalitions of the parties are most likely to take shape. This is done by focusing on the dynamic relationship between the three parts of the American party system. The last portion of the article centers on challenges, caveats, and alternatives to the authors' framework.