Journal of Historical Political Economy > Vol 4 > Issue 1

How the Popes Helped Luther: Territorial Fragmentation and the Diffusion of Protestant Ideology

Anna Grzymala-Busse, Department of Political Science, Stanford University, USA, amgbusse@stanford.edu
 
Suggested Citation
Anna Grzymala-Busse (2024), "How the Popes Helped Luther: Territorial Fragmentation and the Diffusion of Protestant Ideology", Journal of Historical Political Economy: Vol. 4: No. 1, pp 1-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/115.00000068

Publication Date: 21 May 2024
© 2024 A. Grzymala-Busse
 
Subjects
European politics,  Political history,  Religion and politics
 
Keywords
Protestant reformationfragmentationpapacyCatholic church
 

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In this article:
Introduction 
The Protestant Reformation and its Spread 
How the Medieval Church Fragmented Europe 
How Fragmentation led to the Reformation 
Accounting for the Reformation 
Data and Analyses 
Consequences for State Formation 
Conclusion 
Acknowledgments 
References 

Abstract

Under what conditions do powerful ideological movements arise and transform politics? The Protestant Reformation changed the religious, social, and economic landscape of Europe. While the existing literature has focused on the mechanisms and institutions of its spread, this article argues that an important precondition for the spread of the Protestant Reformation was territorial fragmentation, and the political autonomy it offered local rulers. Local rulers could then protect the reform movement both from central authorities, and from local rivals. Where power was centralized, kings could more easily either adopt or defeat the new religion. Using a data set that includes measures of territorial fragmentation, I find that it is strongly associated with the rise and diffusion of the Protestant Reformation. Local political heterogeneity can thus protect and diffuse ideological innovations.

DOI:10.1561/115.00000068

Online Appendix | 115.00000068_app.pdf

This is the article's accompanying appendix.

DOI: 10.1561/115.00000068_app