Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2018

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs

Committee Chair

Joseph J. St. Marie

Committee Chair Department

Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs

Committee Member 2

Bruce Venarde

Committee Member 2 Department

History

Committee Member 3

Robert Pauly

Committee Member 3 Department

Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs

Committee Member 4

Tom Lansford

Committee Member 4 Department

Political Science, International Development, and International Affairs

Abstract

This research illuminates the partnership of a particular civil society actor, Benedictine monasteries, in achieving developmental goals and delivery outcomes for education and health in Tanzania. Faith based organizations (FBOs) like these Benedictine monasteries quietly persevered with their work. These monasteries without governmental support were able to achieve similar results in areas of Tanzania deprived of infrastructure and consistent governmental administrative attention.

Monastic apostolate fervor is similar to the professionalism exhibited by international aid organizations and nongovernmental organizations in their desire to meet the needs of the poor. Motivations are complex and varied from evangelization to political and strategic agendas to economic paradigm promulgation (socialism, capitalism, and communism).

The analysis used mixed-methods for the purpose of testing the hypotheses. There are two dependent variables: educational attainment and infant mortality. These two variables are chosen because of linkages to government spending and government activities associated with educational attainment and infant mortality is well documented. Regression analysis was used to test outcomes in health and education based on the independent variables of rural percentage of population, population, Benedictine presence, and per capita income by region. Case studies will focus on four distinct regions within Tanzania, two in the north (Mwanza and Shinyanga) and two in the south (Rukwa and Ruvuma). Benedictine monasteries indeed fill the void of governmental services in Rukwa and Ruvuma regions and support the achievement of higher educational attainment and lower infant mortality rates in those regions.

ORCID ID

0000-0003-2229-8568

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