Bruce: Religion & Social Change (AQA A Level Sociology): Revision Note
Exam code: 7192
Religion & social change (Bruce, 2003)
Like neo-Marxists and Weber, Steve Bruce (2003) examined how religion can be a driver of social protest and social change
Bruce argued that while religions may aim to influence change, their actions, methods, and reputation determine whether they succeed
He compared two US-based examples:
The American Civil Rights Movement (1950s–60s), which achieved success
The New Christian Right (since the 1960s), which largely failed
Bruce's key idea is that religion can be a force for change, but its success depends on how well it connects with wider society
The American Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement fought against racial segregation and inequality in the 1950s–60s
The movement was led by figures such as Dr Martin Luther King Jr, who used religious rhetoric to inspire change
Role of the black clergy
Bruce saw black clergy as the backbone of the movement
They offered:
leadership and support rooted in Christian values
churches as safe spaces for meetings, solidarity, and unity
Martin Luther King used Christianity as an ideological resource, appealing to values that could unite black and white Christians alike
Reasons for success
Bruce claims that the Civil Rights Movement was successful for the following reasons:
The movement aligned with mainstream values of democracy, equality, and human rights
It gained broad support by appealing to morality and the American Constitution
Religious leaders acted as a moral authority, legitimising the cause
Campaigns used non-violent protest, attracting sympathy and media coverage
Exposed opponents as holding prejudiced values that clashed with Christian teachings
Was able to negotiate with the opposition while maintaining legitimacy
The New Christian Right
The New Christian Right emerged in the 1960s in the USA
It is a fundamentalist movement that is politically and morally conservative
The New Christian Right believes strongly in the traditional family and traditional gender roles
It has actively opposed social changes such as:
abortion
divorce
homosexuality
teaching evolution and sex education in schools
Reasons for failure
Bruce claims that the New Christian Right failed to achieve social change for the following reasons:
Their message was too negative and directly clashed with mainstream liberal values
Lacked broad support, appealing mainly to a narrow conservative base and facing strong opposition from groups promoting freedom of choice
Failed to build alliances with other groups, even on shared issues such as abortion
Most Americans believe in the separation of church and state, rejecting the idea of a theocracy (religious rule)
Many Americans are comfortable with legalising behaviours they may personally disapprove of (e.g., abortion, homosexuality)
Bruce's conclusion: How religion can bring about social change
Religion can promote social change, but its success depends on:
whether it aligns with wider societal values
whether it can gain mainstream support and present a positive, unifying message
The Civil Rights Movement succeeded because it resonated with the values of democracy and justice
The New Christian Right failed because it clashed with mainstream liberal culture
Evaluation of Bruce's view of religion & social change
Strengths
Useful case studies
Provides clear, contrasting examples (Civil Rights Movement vs New Christian Right) to show when religion can and cannot bring about change
Highlights the importance of cultural alignment in determining whether religion is successful
Emphasises religion’s social role
Shows how religion can act as a moral authority and provide networks of support
Explains how religious organisations can mobilise people and resources to create change
Criticisms
Limited scope
Focuses only on the US context; findings may not apply globally
Ignores other religious movements that have successfully promoted change outside the US (e.g. Liberation Theology in Latin America)
Overemphasis on mainstream values
Critics argue that religion can still inspire change even when it clashes with dominant values
Radical movements often begin as minority voices but can later reshape mainstream culture
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You can use the content in this revision note to answer questions on how religion as an ideology can inspire protest and social change, showing that religion isn’t always a purely conservative or negative force.
E.g., you might use Bruce (2003) to explain how the American Civil Rights Movement shows religion acting as a moral authority that mobilised people for change, while the New Christian Right illustrates how religious ideology can fail to inspire social change if it clashes with mainstream values.
You could also compare this with other perspectives, such as Neo-Marxist views of liberation theology or Weber’s analysis of Calvinism, to show that religion can sometimes challenge rather than simply support the status quo.
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