State building and religious resources: an institutional theory of church-state relations in Iran and Mexico

Religion has been important in a number of localities such as Peru, Iran and Mexico. There was a view that religion would become less imprtant as societies modernized, but this has not proved to be the case. Relations between state and church can be viewed from a perspective that is interest-based and institutional. This is a more fruitful approach than simply focusing on ideas. Religious authorities may have more power in the inital phases of developing a state, and their power may be eroded as secular rivals are eliminated by state officials.