Understanding U.S. politics without understanding U.S religions is impossible, according to UW-Madison political science professor emeritus Robert Booth Fowler. Fowler, a co-author of Religion and Politics in America – Faith, Culture and Strategic Choices, is considered a leading authority.
The fourth edition is just out in 2010 with new information covering Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. The original edition was published following the election of Jimmy Carter in 1976, when the interest in the relationship between religion and politics first accelerated.
Fowler was a pioneer in the field. At first most of those who were involved in the field were like him, religiously committed. (He is a Roman Catholic.) That’s not the case so much anymore, as more and more scholars have joined in. "It’s been fun to watch the field develop," he said. "A lot of schools are now teaching the subject."
The latest edition has three co-authors, "a second Catholic, an evangelical Protestant and a liberal Protestant." Fowler said that updating the book following Obama’s election was important. "It allowed me to rethink all of these issues."
Rethinking the issues is important in relation to the new research. "I consider myself a professional skeptic," Fowler said. "I work with data. I’m only interested in evidence of dramatic shifts."
The environment for instance. An important issue but with limited political implications. "Much of environmentalism is a social convention. That’s different than a cutting edge issue. There’s little commitment beyond rhetorical commitment."
Fowler said that in the last election white evangelical solidarity behind the McCain campaign was a surprise. Some of the young evangelical vote followed the rest of the younger population to Obama. But the next election will reflect some disillusionment. "Obama’s star is no longer shining," he said. "He’s become just another president, he’s not a phenomenon. The excitement is over."
Fowler observed that a lot of contemporary politics is cultural, us vs. them. "People give cues to their friends," he said. He expects that efforts to block gay marriage are doomed. Surveys show younger voters significantly more accepting of gay marriage than among older voters. "But it will take time to repeal."
He also observed that the old political slogan, "everyone has just one vote," isn’t exactly true. "Intensity is the name of the game in politics. If you can get your neighbor involved or donate money, it effects turnout. Turnout matters and turnout is determined by intensity."
Right now intensity is reflected in the Tea Party campaign against big government. Fowler thinks that the Tea Party movement could have a significant political impact. "But this is April; November is a long, long way away," he cautioned.
Among groups of greatest interest to political scientists are the swing voters, the last to make up their mind. "The least informed are the most decisive," he mused. But then he added, "Maybe it’s useful that there are people who don’t think that politics is the ultimate answer. There are other answers, like God for instance."