Reason, Religion, and Democracy

by Dennis C. Mueller

• ISBN13: 9780521132732
• ISBN10: 0521132738
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-08-17
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This book also emphasizes the difference between religion and science as means for understanding causal relationships, but it focuses much more heavily on the challenge religious extremism poses for liberal democratic institutions. The treatment contains a discussion of human psychology, describes the salient characteristics of all religions, and contrasts religion and science as systems of thought. Historical sketches are used to establish a link between modernity and the use of the human capacity for reasoning to advance human welfare. The book describes the conditions under which democratic institutions can advance human welfare, and the nature of constitutional rights as protectors of individual freedoms. Extremist religions are shown to pose a threat to liberal democracy, a threat that has implications for immigration and education policies and the definition of citizenship.

Table of Contents

Liberal democracy

Fundamentals: Evolution, Psychology, Reasoning and Religion

Evolution, psychology and reason

Religion

An Historical Look at the State, Democracy and Religion

The first states

Athens and Rome

The Caliphate

The Renaissance

The Enlightenment

Religion and democracy after the French revolution

The Institutions of Liberal Democracy

Democracy and citizenship

Rights

Education, citizenship, immigration and democracy

Challenges to Liberal Democracy

Democracy and religion

Building and protecting Liberal democracy

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