Political theology and religious pluralism: Rethinking liberalism in times of post-secular emancipation

Tools

Newman, Saul. 2021. Political theology and religious pluralism: Rethinking liberalism in times of post-secular emancipation. European Journal of Social Theory, 24(2), pp. 177-194. ISSN 1368-4310 [Article]

Text
Newman, S. (2020) Political theology and religious pluralism_AAM.pdf - Accepted Version
Permissions: Administrator Access Only
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.
Download (175kB)

Preview

Text
1368431020968673.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (190kB) | Preview

Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/1368431020968673

Abstract or Description

Recent debates in liberal political theory have sought to come to terms with the post-secular condition, characterised by deep religious pluralism, the resurgence of right-wing populism, as well as new social movements for economic, ecological and racial justice. These forces represent competing claims on the public space and create challenges for the liberal model of state neutrality. To better grasp this problem, I argue for a more comprehensive engagement between liberalism and political theology, by which I understand a mode of theorising that reveals the theological basis of modern secular political concepts. In considering two contrasting approaches to political or public theology – Carl Schmitt’s and Jürgen Moltmann’s – I argue that liberal political theory can and should open itself to a diversity of social movements and ecological struggles that pluralise the political space in ways that unsettle the boundary between the secular and religious.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1177/1368431020968673