Revisiting the islam-patriarchy nexus: is religious fundamentalism the central cultural barrier to gender equality?

Abstract Is Islam a religion that promotes patriarchy? In the academic debate, there are different assessments. On one hand, is thesis of an elective affinity between and patriarchal values. Muslim-majority countries among Muslims, support for values most pronounced. other antithesis Islamic feminism, which shows significant proportion devout Muslims gender equality. It therefore wrong to describe as misogynistic religion. What matters whether interpreted in emancipatory manner. This contribution offers synthesis argues religious fundamentalism provides more valid explanation than simplistic references Islam. The 6th 7th waves World Values Survey were analyzed test this research-guiding hypothesis. Multilevel analyses show value differences non-Muslims societies with another majority turn out be small or even insignificant when controlling fundamentalism. Fundamentalism central driver generates uniform effects. At individual-level, makes both susceptible Moreover, adapt conformity pressures their societies, resulting egalitarian well values, depending on prevalence high has simple reason: Religious by no means marginal phenomenon these but rather norm.