Religious Confidence in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in Mexico, 1996¿2018 Academic Article in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • Religiosity and religious affiliation play a pivotal role in providing individuals with support and solace within their faith communities, particularly when confronting challenges associated with free trade. Several mechanisms help explain the positive relationship between religiosity and confidence in free trade. Drawing on data from five waves of the World Values Survey conducted in Mexico between 1996 and 2018, this study examines this relationship in depth. The analysis incorporates variables from traditional theories of support for free trade, including factors and sectors, and utilizes survey subsamples of key demographic groups. These include Catholics, Protestant-Evangelicals, men and women, individuals with varying levels of education, the unemployed, and those exhibiting different degrees of post-material values. The findings highlight a strong religious component influencing individuals¿ confidence in NAFTA, shedding light on the complex interplay between religiosity and free trade attitudes. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

publication date

  • January 1, 2025