According to you, why is there such a special connection between religion and politics in the US?
In 2017, the election of Donald Trump showed how much religion is connected with politics in the US. Indeed, he succeeded in gathering a huge number of White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP), who represents the biggest part of his supporters. Why is there such a special connection between religion and politics in the US?
First, I think that the first main reason is American history. During the 17th century, the Pilgrim Fathers, who were puritans, settled by the May Flower in America and then, in 1776, the American nation was built. In 1845, O’Sullivan announced the theory of “Manifest Destiny” : the Americans have been chosen by God to broadcast values such as liberty, goodness and also democracy. Thus, the link between politics and religion is mainly based on history.
In addition, the US politics has been built on economic liberalism which results from Protestantism: American political measures foster competitiveness, profitability and productivity whereas foreign catholic government prioritize standards livings and social aspects. Moreover, religion is considered as a political winner by the American parties : most of Americans believe in God and this is why they are likely to endorse the Party which defends religious interests. Furthermore, there is a strong lobbying by the church in US which have a clout in political decisions.
As a result, I think the special connection between religion and politics in the US is due to historical reasons, thus religion is considered as a political winner.