1. UNIT 3: Religion Renewal and Choice
Existential Security Theory
Learning Outcome 1:To understand the key concepts of Norris and Inglehart’s
‘Existential Security Theory’. (Grade D/E)
Norris and Inglehart reject religious market theory on the grounds that it only applies to
America and fails to explain variations in religiousity between different societies.
E.g. International studies have found no evidence of the link between religious choice and
religious participation.
They argue that the reason for such variations is not different degrees of religious choice but
different degrees on existential security.
Q. What do they mean by ‘existential security’?
Religion meets a need for security, and therefore societies where people feel secure have a low
level of demand for religion.

2. Fill in the table to show how security can affect religiousity in poor and rich societies. Which
society is more likely to remain religious?
POOR SOCIETIES RICH SOCIETIES
Q. Norris and Inglehart note that global population growth undermines the trend towards
secularisation. Why is this?
EUROPE Vs AMERICA
Learning Outcome 2: To be able to explain why Norris and Inglehart believe that religion is becoming
more secular in Europe but not in America. (Grade C/D)
In Western Europe the trend is towards increasing secularisation. Norris and Inglehart argue
that this is not surprising. However in comparison with Europe, the United States remains more
religious. Why do Norris and Inglehart argue this is?

3. Fill in the table to show the Norris and Inglehart’s arguments’.
EUROPE AMERICA
EVALUATION
Learning Outcome 3: To be able to clearly evaluate the ‘Existential Security Theory’ (Grade A/B)
Supporting Evidence (Page 38)
Gill and Lundegaarde (2004)
Criticisms
Vasquez (2007)

4. The Case of Uraguay
Q. How does the case of Uruguay go against Stark and Bainbridge’s ‘Religious Market theory’?
Q. How does it support the existential security theory?