Description
Book SynopsisIn Faithful to Secularism, David T. Buckley develops the concept of benevolent secularism to describe institutions that combine a basic division of religion and state with extensive room for participation of religious actors in public life.
Trade ReviewThis is a powerfully argued book that makes an original case for a modern understanding of religion and politics and illustrates it brilliantly through the cases of Ireland, Senegal, and the Philippines. I predict that it will become a major work in a fast-growing field and set a new standard for excellence. -- Daniel Philpott, director of the Program on Religion & Reconciliation, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies Buckley's concept of "benevolent secularism" enriches the comparative politics literature on religion and society. A brilliant example of using field research in multiple countries for theory building. -- Alfred Stepan, Columbia University This is going to be an influential work shaping the emergent field of the comparative politics of secularism. The original concepts of "benevolent secularism" and "secular evolution," drawn from the rich historical analysis of Irish, Senegalese, and Filipino secularism, throughout a century and across two religious traditions and three continents, are likely to prove particularly fruitful in many other settings. -- Jose Casanova, Georgetown University
Table of ContentsList of Tables and Figures Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Benevolent Secularism: A Theory of the Religious Politics of Democracy 2. Secular Emergence in Ireland: Home Rule and Rome Rule? 3. Secular Evolution in Ireland: Religion and Post-Catholic Politics 4. Secular Emergence in Senegal: Laicite in Translation 5. Secular Evolution in Senegal: Sopi and Institutional Change 6. Secular Emergence in the Philippines: Beyond the Malolos Stalemate 7. Secular Evolution in the Philippines: People Power and Pluralization Conclusion: The Future of Religion and Secular Democracy Notes Bibliography Index
