Politics of religion in Western Europe. Modernities in conflict?

Religion is becoming increasingly important to the study of political science and to re-examine key concepts, such as democracy, securitization, foreign policy analysis, and international relations.

The secularization of Europe is often understood according to the concept of ‘multiple modernities’—the idea that there may be several roads to modernity, which do not all mean the eradication of religion. This framework provides support for the view that different traditions, societies and groups can come to terms with the components of modernity (capitalism, democracy, human rights, science and reason) while keeping in touch with their religious background, faith and practice.

Contributors examine the interaction between EU-integration processes and Western European countries, such as Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Austria, Scandinavia, Italy, and the UK, and shine fresh light on the economic and cultural contexts brought about by relationships between politics and religion, including immigrant religions and new religious movements. This volume combines theoretical perspectives from political sociology and international relations to consider the role of religion as a source of power, identity and ethics in institutions and societies.

Politics of Religion in Western Europe will be of interest to scholars of politics, religion, the European Union and political sociology.

Contents:

Part 1: Theoretical Lines
1. Introduction: Western European Modernities and Religion François Foret and Xabier Itçaina
2. Religion in International Relations: A European specificity? Jeffrey Haynes

Part 2: European Modernities
3. Theories of European Integration and Religion: A Critical Assessment François Foret
4. Religion, Modernity and Theories of European Integration Lucian Leustean
5. The Chaplains of Europe? Christian Interest Representation and EU Rationality Pieterjan De Vlieger

Part 3: National Modernities
6. State Regulation of Religion in Western European Countries Philippe Portier
7. Religious Euroscepticism in the Nordic Countries. Modern or Pre-, Anti- or Post-Modern? John Madeley
8. Christianity and British Politics: A Neglected Dimension Martin Steven
9. Still Religious Parties in Belgium? The Decline of the Denominational Cleavage in Belgian Consociational Democracy Émilie van Haute, Jean-Benoît Pilet and Giulia Sandri
10. State and Religions in Luxembourg: A ‘Reconciled’ and ‘Secularized’ Democracy Philippe Poirier Part

4: Alternative Modernities
11. Immigrant Religions as Public Religions: Reflections on Austria Kristina Stöckl, Julia Mourão Permoser and Sieglinde Rosenberger
12. Alienation in Modernity: The Case of European Muslims Justin Gest
13. Public Politices Towards New Religions: The French and Italian Cases Compared Sabrina Pastorelli
14. Conclusion François Foret and Xabier Itçaina