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Politics as Usual or Bringing Religion Back In? The Influence of Parties, Institutions, Economic Interests, and Religion on Embryo Research Laws
Simon Fink*
University of Bamberg
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: simon.fink{at}uni-bamberg.de.
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Abstract |
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This article explains the variation of embryo research laws in the Western world. A quantitative analysis shows that theories of partisan influence, institutions, and economic interests are ill suited to explain this variation. Only when cultural factors are considered can the variation be explained. Catholic societies legislate more strictly, and the Catholic Church is an influential actor. This is surprising, as economic interests are very important in the field. But even in a field where the economic stakes are high, the Catholic Church can be successful. The lessons are twofold. First, the discussion about the determinants of embryo research policies is enriched, as the article shows that despite particular discourses, religion is still a major factor and that the field can be fruitfully analyzed using a quantitative approach. Second, the article claims that theories of comparative public policy can benefit from the inclusion of cultural factors.
First published on November 27, 2007, doi:10.1177/0010414007309203
Comparative Political Studies 2008;41:1631.
A more recent version of this article appeared on December 1, 2008
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