| ID | 125040 |
| Title Proper | Calling from God |
| Other Title Information | politicians and religiosity in the Pacific Islands |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Corbett, Jack |
| Publication | 2013. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) |
Despite its relative absence from much of the literature on politics in the Pacific region, religiosity is an assumed and often unchallenged component of political life. Drawing from more than 100 in-depth biographical interviews with politicians, around 40 published life histories and other publicly available material, this article uses Pierre Bourdieu's concept of 'habitus' to explore how politicians see the role of faith and religious association contributing to their public profile, election campaigning, representative and legislative functions, and 'inner' life. It advances two arguments: firstly, that ideal analytic distinctions like state, society and religion become problematic in the Pacific Islands where political leaders tend to occupy multiple roles and assume overlapping identities; and, secondly, that despite the overwhelming religiosity seemingly apparent in public rhetoric, secularization is an effervescent narrative across the region with politicians vocal protagonists on all sides of this debate. |
| `In' analytical Note | Global Change Peace and Security Vol.25, No.3; 2013: p.283-297 |
| Journal Source | Global Change Peace and Security Vol.25, No.3; 2013: p.283-297 |
| Key Words | Pacific Islands ; Secularization ; Religiosity ; Habitus ; Practice ; Democratic State ; Religion and Society ; Political Religions ; Political Debate ; Politics ; Pacific Region ; Political Life ; Biographical Interview |