Open AccessState-Religion Relations in the Context of Rational Choice Theory: the Case of Russia
Author(s) -
Dari Sh. Tsyrendorzhieva,
К А Багаева
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
iop conference series. earth and environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1755-1307
pISSN - 1755-1315
DOI - 10.1088/1755-1315/272/3/032194
Subject(s) - pluralism (philosophy) , rational choice theory (criminology) , religious pluralism , religious organization , argument (complex analysis) , state (computer science) , positive economics , sociology , supply and demand , context (archaeology) , secular state , order (exchange) , faith , economic system , economics , political science , epistemology , law , politics , microeconomics , finance , paleontology , philosophy , biochemistry , chemistry , algorithm , computer science , biology
The paper offers methodology of rational choice theory for the analysis of the statereligion relations in contemporary Russia. That theory is employed in economic and social sciences to explain rational behavior of individuals when choosing potential opportunities. The paper argues that the situation of the ‘religious market’ has developed in Russia that causes religious organizations to act as companies and firms offering services. It is connected with the state’s efforts to control religious organizations, which, in turn, have to compete with each other in order to receive certain benefits. The authors point out that religious pluralism has its boundaries. Religious supply is bound by demand, which is formed by the state. The paper argues that religious pluralism leads to religious organizations becoming more active. Therefore, they supply more services. The paper concludes by arguing that individual religious demand is actively supported by religious organizations. That causes the formation of rational relationship and rational behavior of religious organizations. Drawing on that argument the theory allows to explain patterns and mechanisms of the state-religion relations in contemporary Russia.