Title: Political religion beyond totalitarianism : the sacralization of politics in the age of democracy /
Authors: Augusteijn, Joost,; Dassen, Patrick, 1961-; Janse, Maartje,; Augusteijn, Joost,
Year: 2013
Subjects: Religion and politics; Democracy
Abstract: "It has long been established that an important element in the success of fascist and communist regimes was their ability to turn their political ideology into a type of religion. The eleven innovative essays in this volume explore the notion that all forms of modern mass politics, including liberal democracies, need such a form of sacralization of politics to function. In modern democracies different political players compete for the support of the people. Sacralization of political forms and ideas, this volume suggests, is necessary to mobilize the hearts and minds of the masses because they expect and desire politics to be more than mere administration. Sacralization, therefore, lies at the heart of modern politics. This volume offers a challenging new view on the relationship between modern politics and religion, paying special attention to the role of ordinary people in the process of sacralization."--Publisher's website.
Contents: Introduction: Politics and Religion / P. Dassen, J. Augusteijn & M. Janse -- Part 1: Definition. Religion and Politics: In Search of Resemblances / H. Paul ; The Religious Side of Democracy. Early Socialism, 21st-century Populism and the Sacralization of Politics / H.te Velde. -- Part 2: Religion and democracy. A Dangerous Type of Politics? Politics and Religion in Early Mass Organizations: The Anglo-American World, c. 1830 / M. Janse ; De-sanctifying Affairs of State: The Politics of Religion in Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) / E.van de Bilt. -- Part 3: Socialism. Visual Essay: Religious Aspects of Socialist Imagery, c.1890-2000 / J. Groothuizen & D. Bos ; A Grassroots Sacred Socialist History. Dutch Social Democrats (1894-1920) / A.van Veldhuizen. -- Part 4: Nationalism. Nationalism as a Political Religion: The Sacralization of the Irish Nation / J. Augusteijn ; The German Nation as a Secular Religion in the First World War? About the Problem of Unity in Modern German History / P. Dassen ; History or Civil Religion? The Uses of Lincoln's 'Last, Best Hope of Earth' / A. Fairclough. -- Part 5: Religion and revolution. Revolutionary Mystique: Religious Undertones in the Russian Revolution of 1917 / H. Kern ; The Belief in Disbelief: Anticlericalism and the Sacralization of Politics in Spain (1900-39) / E. Storm ; Concluding Remarks / J. Augusteijn, P. Dassen & M. Janse.