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American Muslim Political Participation Following 9/11: Religious Belief, Political Resources, Social Structures, and Political Awareness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2008

John W. Ayers  and
C. Richard Hofstetter
John W. Ayers*
Affiliation:
San Diego State University
C. Richard Hofstetter
Affiliation:
San Diego State University
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: John W. Ayers, Department of Political Science, Nasatir Hall 127, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182-4427. E-Mail: john.ayers.sdsu@gmail.com
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Abstract

Using a nationwide survey of American Muslims conducted in 2004, we evaluate models of political participation, specifically the influence of religious characteristics, political resources, social structures, and political awareness on Muslims' reported political participation. American Muslims reported extremely high rates of political participation in comparison to the general public and in this regard are model citizens. Using path analysis, our findings concluded that religious beliefs were negatively associated with political participation, while measures of religious resources were positively related to participation. Social structures had mixed influence in most cases statistically indistinguishable from zero. Political resources and measures of political awareness, specifically feelings of anxiety following 9/11, were positively associated with participation.

Type
Articles
Information
Politics and Religion , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , April 2008 , pp. 3 - 26
Copyright
Copyright © Religion and Politics Research Section of the American Political Science Association 2008

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