Religious Liberty in Transitional Societies: The Politics of Religion

by John Anderson

Overview

Individuals struggle to find meaning within the chaos of states undergoing political change. Religious elites seek to define their role within the new order while political elites search for new ways to ensure legitimacy and develop national unity. Contrasting the politics of religious liberty in a number of Southern and Eastern European countries, John Anderson explores the broader issue of creating a democratic mentality in such transitional societies. In the process he exposes the use of privilege and discrimination practiced by religious and political elites in these societies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521108126
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/05/2009
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

John Anderson is Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. He is author of Religion, State and Politics in the Soviet Union and Successor States (Cambridge, 1994), The International Politics of Central Asia (1997) and Kyrgyzstan: Central Asia's Island of Democracy (1999).

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Southern Europe: Spain and Greece; 3. Central and Eastern Europe: Poland and Bulgaria; 4. The former USSR: Russia and the successor states; 5. Justifying religious 'recognition' and/or discrimination; 6. Conclusion: culture, conflict, modernisation and religious liberty; Select bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"[A] much-needed original study that furthers our understanding of the highly complex political role of religion generally and in transitional societies specifically. Anderson's comparative study is well organized, well written, deep in critical analysis, and the best book I have encountered on the important role of religion in societies making the difficult transition to democracy." Derek H. Davis, Baylor University, Slavic Review

From the Publisher