Religious Voices in the Politics of International Development

Faith-Based NGOs as Non-state Political and Moral Actors

verfasst von: Paul J. Nelson

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : Palgrave Studies in Religion, Politics, and Policy

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" , Springer Professional "Technik"

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Über dieses Buch

This first study of faith-based development NGOs’ (FBOs) political roles focuses on how U.S. FBOs in international development educate and mobilize their constituencies. Most pursue cautious reformist agendas, but FBOs have sometimes played important roles in social movements. Nelson unpacks those political roles by examining the prominence of advocacy in the organizations, the issues they address and avoid, their transnational relationships, and their relationships with religious and secular social movements. The agencies that educate and mobilize U.S. constituencies most actively are associated with small Christian sects or with non-Christian minority faiths with historic commitments to activism or service. Specialized advocacy NGOs play important roles, and emerging movements on immigration and climate may represent fresh political energy. The book examines faith-based responses to the crises of climate change, COVID-19, and racial injustice, and argues that these will shape the future of religion as a moral and political force in America, and of NGOs in international development.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Introduction

Abstract

The introduction poses five central questions: (1) How important are the religious identities of faith-based development NGOs (FBOs)? (2) How do FBOs shape the public’s awareness of global poverty and inequality, and mobilize participants as citizens and consumers? (3) How do FBOs advocate on public policy, and are their agendas reformist or “prophetic”? (4) How and why does activism by FBOs vary, and what can be learned from active mobilizers and social movements? (5) Are transnational FBOs essentially national or global political actors? Nelson argues that FBOs’ advocacy choices shed light on how international NGOs balance their identities as material aid providers and participants in dynamic civil societies, and on the evolving roles of religion in US politics and society.

Paul J. Nelson

Chapter 2. Religion, Development, and Faith-Based Organizations

Abstract

This chapter surveys religion’s roles in low- and middle-income societies and in US politics, and introduces international faith-based NGOs. Religious beliefs, institutions, and practices are influential in almost every neighborhood and village in the countries of the Global South, and Nelson shows that they can be powerful rhetorical, spiritual, and organizational resources for community development and social action. Religion is also often a conservative force, anchoring traditional social orders and gender relations. In the United States, religion has been an organizing and motivating force for civil rights, peace movements, and immigration and sanctuary efforts. In recent decades conservative religious leaders have been increasingly prominent voices in public life, influencing a significant voting public.

Paul J. Nelson

Chapter 3. Faith-Based Identities

Abstract

Who are the players in the varied world of faith-based NGOs (FBOs), how is faith expressed in the organizations, and what issues and debates shape FBOs’ roles in development? Several forms of religious action in international development are surveyed, including monastic traditions, missionary movements, and religious solidarity groups. Using profiles of four major US-based FBOs, and a larger database of FBOs, Nelson examines their religious identities and develops a typology of organizational relationships between FBOs and religious institutions and communities. Finally, he analyzes four critical issues for FBOs: Whether to serve all in need, or coreligionists; how to balance individual transformation and social change; whether to proselytize; and how religious belief is expressed in organizational culture and staffing.

Paul J. Nelson

Chapter 4. Encouraging Active Citizen Voices on International Policy? The Record of US Faith-Based NGOs

Abstract

How do faith-based NGOs (FBOs) educate and mobilize their US constituencies? Nelson examines ten diverse FBOs, including some with significant “insider” lobbying presence in Washington, DC. Among these Catholic, mainline Protestant, Evangelical, Reform Jewish, Islamic, Mennonite, and Quaker agencies, the extent of advocacy and its prominence in agencies’ communications with constituencies are highly varied. The most extensive, highest profile mobilization is by small Christian sects with historic commitment to social justice, minority (non-Christian) faiths, and independent NGOs that specialize in advocacy. FBO advocacy is shown to be similar in scope to ten comparable secular US-based NGOs. In light of the centrality of charity and economic justice in religious teachings, the religious voice on these matters is modest.

Paul J. Nelson

Chapter 5. Agendas and Strategies: Prophetic Voices and Cautious Reformers

Abstract

What issues are on faith-based NGOs’ (FBOs) advocacy agendas? In this analysis of ten FBOs’ agendas in 2010 and 2018, Nelson finds that development aid budgets and policies dominate, with most FBOs giving less attention to issues such as human rights, trade, labor rights, and climate. There are exceptions, and between 2010 and 2018 climate and immigration drew somewhat more attention in FBO agendas. But the focus on aid policy signals to FBO constituencies that aid is the key issue for activism, even though aid is known to have less impact on poor peoples’ prospects than many other variables. Moreover, aid policy has not proven to be a compelling cause that draws large numbers of people into anti-poverty activism.

Paul J. Nelson

Chapter 6. Global Religions and National Politics

Abstract

National political cultures can have a powerful effect on transnational NGOs, and Nelson demonstrates that even NGOs that represent transnational faith traditions express themselves quite differently in four wealthy donor societies. Four “families” of faith-based organizations (FBO) with affiliates in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan are examined, representing Roman Catholicism, mainline Protestantism, Reform Judaism, and evangelical Christianity. Members of each family embrace some common principles and agendas, but their advocacy appears more strongly shaped by national political cultures than by universal teaching. British and German Protestant and Catholic NGOs, for example, campaign on climate, biofuels, and corporate land purchases; their US counterparts rarely mention such issues.

Paul J. Nelson

Chapter 7. Beyond Advocacy? Mobilizing Compassion

Abstract

Some faith-based NGOs (FBOs) encourage their constituencies to consider pro-social investments, conscious consumption patterns, long-term volunteering, and other potentially transformative experiences. The range of such activities encouraged by 50 FBOs, mostly in the United States, suggests that US-based FBOs ask less of their constituents than do European FBOs, and offer them more limited means of expressing solidarity. The practice of encouraging social investment in microfinance funds or even in projects of the FBO itself is beginning to grow in the United States. Nelson profiles several FBOs that motivate high levels of constituent engagement, arguing that volunteering, education, personal spiritual disciplines, and community engagement are all involved in creating a culture of service and solidarity.

Paul J. Nelson

Chapter 8. Religious Movements and FBOs: The Climate Threat and COVID-19

Abstract

Significant faith-based movements have mobilized around religious freedom, opposition to abortion, opposition to or support for LGBT rights, civilians’ safety in Darfur, sanctuary for immigrants, and debt relief. These and other movements, some with mass support, offer lessons about how faith communities help and hinder individual mobilization. Nelson examines US faith-based NGOs’ (FBO) responses to crisis issues in 2020—climate, COVID-19, and racial justice—and shows that most FBOs avoid linking their advocacy on development policy to high-profile national issues. Nelson argues that if FBOs are to contribute to mobilizing a moral voice among people of faith, they may have to extend their advocacy voice beyond relatively narrow development policy issues to engage with these moral, existential challenges.

Paul J. Nelson

Chapter 9. Conclusions

Abstract

Faith-based NGOs (FBOs) experience a tension between their charitable mandate and the chance to guide their constituencies, facilitating civic activism on global poverty. By what they ask of their constituents, FBOs signal to people of faith how to respond to poverty and inequality. Many US FBOs send the message that a cash contribution for humanitarian relief is what faith and conscience require. Some, created as international charities, have become effective insider advocates in Washington, DC. Others make concerted, creative efforts to mobilize their constituencies. Most pursue cautious, reformist agendas focused primarily on foreign aid policy. With the United States—and the world—experiencing climate, COVID-19, and racial justice crises, Nelson makes a case for FBOs to advance more prophetic agendas.

Paul J. Nelson

Backmatter

Titel: Religious Voices in the Politics of International Development
verfasst von: Paul J. Nelson
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-68964-3
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-68963-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68964-3