My research asks why and how does religion and culture play a role in the political decision

making in the South-east Nigeria and in other Multicultural parts of the world like, Flemish,

Belgium and Toronto, Canada.

The purpose or my research is twofold. Firstly, to explore the overall changes in political

decision-making, and why they are influenced by the role religion plays as a whole. This is

important because the role of religion in political decision-making in general transcends

cultures and political suppression since the 20th century as Huston Smith noted in "Why

Religion Matters". Secondly, the questions on how religion plays a role in political decisionmaking

process will be addressed. How do external and internal religion's driving forces

influence political decision-making process, in South-east, Nigeria, Flemish, Belgium and

Toronto, Canada? What are the major turning points in the political decision making

process,? What are the fundamental problems?

The answers to 'why does religion play a role in political decision making in the South-east

Nigeria, Flemish, Belgium and Toronto, Canada, could be overlapping with 'how does religion

play this role'. To provide clarification, the research will propose a conceptual-theoretical

framework to explain the role of religion in political decision-making. The framework

consists of two parts. The first part provides conceptual definition of religion and answers

'why' does religion play a role in political decision-making process based on literature

review. The second part will explain 'how' religion plays a role in political decision-making

by investigating the driving forces in South-east, Nigeria, Flemish, Belgium and Toronto,

Canada. Hypotheses, variables and indicators will be formulated and linked with empirical

evidence in the role religion plays in the political decision making.

I will observe and compare the political culture of the South-East, Nigeria, Flemish Belgium

and Toronto, Canada for an effective understanding of the dynamic role of religion in their

political decision making.

In particular, my project in Toronto, Canada, seeks to explore the place of culture and

religion in identity construction and its implication in political decision making in Toronto.

The research will analyze the internal and external influences on the role of religion and

culture in the political decision making in Toronto, Canada. This involves an evaluation of

the role and contribution of national and international cultural and religious organization to

the maintenance of peace in Toronto, Canada. I will observe and analyze how individuals and

groups are encouraging innovative and adequate interaction of culture, religion and politics

in Toronto, Canada. I will compare my findings with that of the Flemish, Belgium and the

South-East, Nigeria.