The Secular State Under Siege

Religion and Politics in Europe and America

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book The Secular State Under Siege by Christian Joppke, Wiley
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Christian Joppke ISBN: 9780745691428
Publisher: Wiley Publication: April 22, 2015
Imprint: Polity Language: English
Author: Christian Joppke
ISBN: 9780745691428
Publisher: Wiley
Publication: April 22, 2015
Imprint: Polity
Language: English

Throughout human history, religion and politics have entertained the most intimate of connections as systems of authority regulating individuals and society. While the two have come apart through the process of secularization, secularism is challenged today by the return of public religion. This cogent analysis unravels the nature of the connection, disconnection, and attempted reconnection between religion and politics in the West.

In a comparison of Western Europe and North America, Christianity and Islam, Joppke advances far-reaching theoretical, historical, and comparative-political arguments. With respect to theory, it is argued that only a “substantive” concept of religion, as pertaining to the existence of supra-human powers, opens up the possibility of a historical-comparative perspective on religion. At the level of history, secularization is shown to be the distinct outcome of Latin Christianity itself. And at the level of comparative politics, the Christian Right in America which has attacked the “wall of separation” between religion and state and Islam in Europe with the controversial insistence on sharia law and other “illiberal” claims from some quarters are taken to be counterpart incarnations of public religion and challenges to the secular state.

This clearly argued, sweeping book will provide an invaluable framework for approaching an array of critical issues at the intersection of religion, law and politics for advanced students and researchers across the social sciences and legal studies, as well as for the interested public.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Throughout human history, religion and politics have entertained the most intimate of connections as systems of authority regulating individuals and society. While the two have come apart through the process of secularization, secularism is challenged today by the return of public religion. This cogent analysis unravels the nature of the connection, disconnection, and attempted reconnection between religion and politics in the West.

In a comparison of Western Europe and North America, Christianity and Islam, Joppke advances far-reaching theoretical, historical, and comparative-political arguments. With respect to theory, it is argued that only a “substantive” concept of religion, as pertaining to the existence of supra-human powers, opens up the possibility of a historical-comparative perspective on religion. At the level of history, secularization is shown to be the distinct outcome of Latin Christianity itself. And at the level of comparative politics, the Christian Right in America which has attacked the “wall of separation” between religion and state and Islam in Europe with the controversial insistence on sharia law and other “illiberal” claims from some quarters are taken to be counterpart incarnations of public religion and challenges to the secular state.

This clearly argued, sweeping book will provide an invaluable framework for approaching an array of critical issues at the intersection of religion, law and politics for advanced students and researchers across the social sciences and legal studies, as well as for the interested public.

More books from Wiley

Cover of the book The Coming Bond Market Collapse by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book Bats and Viruses by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book Joint Optimization of Maintenance and Production Policies by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book Digital Forensics by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book Thermal Management of Electric Vehicle Battery Systems by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book The Life of Percy Bysshe Shelley by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book Cloud Computing by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book Corrosion of Steel in Concrete by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book Polymer and Biopolymer Brushes by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book Planning and Integration of Refinery and Petrochemical Operations by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book The Conversion Code by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book Stability and Degradation of Organic and Polymer Solar Cells by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book Cyclodextrins by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book From Complexity in the Natural Sciences to Complexity in Operations Management Systems by Christian Joppke
Cover of the book The Complete GPVTS Stage 2 Preparation Guide by Christian Joppke
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy