Religion and Social Transformation

Dear Colleagues,

In the early 20^th century, many scholars were interested in how religion may have influenced why societies developed differently, the most famous of these individuals being Max Weber. However, in the reaction to colonialism, ethnocentrism, and Western arrogance (among other things), such studies fell into disfavor. Many scholars also became leery of broad general claims, and focused more on ‘manageable’ topics. However, recently, scholars have begun exploring how different religious traditions may have influenced long-term social transformations. New data and methods make statistical analyses more plausible, and the careful histories of non-European societies allows more nuanced and grounded comparisons to be made. If we return to these questions with greater sensitivity, a greater ability to measure religion and social change, and a more nuanced understanding of diverse religious and historical contexts, what generalizations seem plausible? Have particular religious traditions influenced the spread of education, information technology, innovation, economic development, democracy, women’s rights, inequality, slavery, civil society, tolerance, and violence? What suggests that religion caused the outcome rather than something associated with religion? How persistent are religious differences? All religions are diverse and all change in response to their social context. How, when, and why do religions change in ways that foster or hamper particular social transformations? Are some changes more difficult for particular religious traditions to make than others? If so, why?

We invite contributions that evaluate and extend recent research on how distinct religious traditions may influence broad social outcomes. We particularly encourage research that includes analysis outside of North American and Europe and compares religious traditions in more than one context. Although new statistical analyses and summaries of recent statistical research are welcome, they should be presented in a form that is accessible to scholars from diverse fields and methodological orientations.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 400–600 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the guest editor Robert_Woodberry@baylor.edu or to Religions Editorial Office (religions@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editor for the purpose of ensuring they will have a proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer-review.

Dr. Robert D. Woodberry
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• religion and economic development
• religion and violence
• religion and political institutions
• religion and inequality
• religion and slavery/abolition
• religion and printing
• religion and the origins of cumulative science
• religion and inequality
• religion and tolerance/religious liberty
• religion and women’s rights
• religion and environmental degradation