The Intersection of Religion and Politics in Chile: A Case Study of the Republican Party and their Candidates
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Abstract
This article examines the relationship between religion and politics in Chile through a case study of the Republican Party and its subnational candidates in the 2024 elections. The research is framed within the literature on radical right-wing populism (Mudde, 2007; Rovira Kaltwasser, 2023) and poses as a central question whether religious identity constitutes a relevant element in their campaign discourses. A single-case design and a qualitative approach to critical discourse analysis are adopted, based on 73 speeches by candidates for mayor and governor. The findings show that, although religion appears as a significant symbolic resource, it occupies a secondary place compared to issues such as public safety, criticism of the ruling party, and rejection of elites. It is concluded that religiosity operates as an identity catalyst subordinate to demands for order and security, and that it acts as a facilitator for the cohesion of party supporters.
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