Lighter Fluid or Flame Retardant? Religious Movements and the Rise of Populism in Contemporary Africa

ABSTRACT: Observers warn that religious movements are fueling populism in Africa, but do religious movements actually promote populist electoral and policy outcomes on the continent? To answer that question, this paper draws from literature on populism, religion, and social movements, while incorporating Afrobarometer surveys from thirty-four countries and original data on the motivations and strategies of activists in Nigeria and Niger. Based this body of theories and evidence, I propose that African religious movements are, in most circumstances, unlikely to fuel populism for three reasons: 1) religious movements generally exert limited political influence, 2) public support for popu-list views is rather low in much of Africa across religious groups, and 3) activists in otherwise politically engaged and religious societies do not seem especially motivated by populist or religious concerns. This is good news for democracy proponents who hope to stem the tide of populism without suppressing religious freedom.