Research Catalog

Title

Reason, religion, and democracy / Dennis C. Mueller.

Author

Mueller, Dennis C.

Publication

New York : Cambridge University Press, 2009.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Description

x, 450 pages; 23 cm

Summary

"The rise of religious fundamentalism in different parts of the world in recent years and its association with terrorism has led to a renewed interest in the nature of religion and its compatibility with Western institutions. Much of the focus of this new interest has contrasted religion and science as two different systems of knowledge. This book also emphasizes the difference between religion and science as a means for understanding causal relationships, but it focuses more on the challenge religious extremism poses for liberal democratic institutions." "This book 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 link 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, education policies, and the definition of citizenship."--BOOK JACKET.

Subjects

• Religion and politics > History
• Democracy > History
• Religion and science > History

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Contents

1. Liberal Democracy -- Pt. I. Fundamentals: Evolution, Psychology, Reasoning, and Religion -- 2. Evolution, Psychology, and Reason -- 3. Religion -- Pt. II. A Historical Look at the State, Democracy, and Religion -- 4. The First States -- 5. Athens and Rome -- 6. The Caliphate -- 7. The Renaissance -- 8. The Enlightenment -- 9. Religion and Democracy After the French Revolution -- Pt. III. The Institutions of Liberal Democracy -- 10. Democracy and Citizenship -- 11. Rights -- 12. Education, Citizenship, Immigration, and Democracy -- Pt. IV. Challenges to Liberal Democracy -- 13. Democracy and Religion -- 14. Building and Protecting Liberal Democracy.

ISBN

• 9780521115018 (hardback)
• 0521115019 (hardback)
• 9780521132732 (pbk.)
• 0521132738 (pbk.)

LCCN

• 2009010735
• 40017073973

OCLC

• ocn316099370
• 316099370
• SCSB-5486723

Owning Institutions

Columbia University Libraries