The Political Origins of Religious Liberty

Anthony Gill (University of Washington)

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English

Cambridge University Press
29 October 2007

Religious freedom & freedom of worship

Series: Cambridge Studies in Social Theory, Religion and Politics

The issue of religious liberty has gained ever-increasing attention among policy makers and the public. Whereas politicians have long championed the idea of religious freedom and tolerance, the actual achievement of these goals has been an arduous battle for religious minorities. What motivates political leaders to create laws providing for greater religious liberty? In contrast to scholars who argue that religious liberty results from the spread of secularization and modern ideas, Anthony Gill argues that religious liberty results from interest-based calculations of secular rulers. Using insights from political economists, Gill develops a theory of the origins of religious liberty based upon the political and economic interests of governing officials. Political leaders are most likely to permit religious freedom when it enhances their own political survival, tax revenue, and the economic welfare of their country. He explores his theory using cases from British America, Latin America, Russia, and the Baltic states.

By: Anthony Gill (University of Washington)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 227mm, Width: 154mm, Spine: 15mm
Weight: 380g
ISBN: 9780521848145
ISBN 10: 0521848148
Series: Cambridge Studies in Social Theory, Religion and Politics
Pages: 280
Publication Date: 29 October 2007
Audience: Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , Undergraduate , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Anthony Gill is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington, where he specializes in the study of religion, economics, and politics. He is the author of Rendering Unto Caesar: The Catholic Church and the State in Latin America, as well as numerous articles on religion and politics. Professor Gill was awarded the University of Washington's Distinguished Teaching Award in 1999 and is also a nonresident scholar at Baylor University's Institute for Studies of Religion.

Reviews for The Political Origins of Religious Liberty

Using engaging historical accounts and compelling theoretical arguments, Anthony Gill reveals that religious liberty is neither a mishap of history nor the inevitable consequence of secular states. Instead, he uncovers the motives and self-interests of politicians, religionists, and many others supporting religious freedoms around the globe and over time. A must read for anyone interested in the origins of civil liberties. Roger Finke, Penn State University Anthony Gill has done us all an enormous service in this beautifully written and intricately theorized book. Building on past research which identifies religious regulation as the key to understanding secularization, Gill takes a giant step forward to tell us why and how religious regulation occurs. He turns popular conceptions about the nature of religious liberty on their head to reveal the fascinating political mechanisms which determine church-state relationships. This monumental contribution to our understanding of the politics of religion absolutely invigorates current thinking on the topic and opens up multiple paths to future research discoveries. I am already pondering which of Gill's many insights I could rob. Paul Froese, Baylor University The most important book ever written on religious liberty is also a delight to read. Rodney Stark, Baylor University

Joint winner for American Sociological Association Sociology of Religion Distinguished Book Award 2008.
Joint winner of American Sociological Association Sociology of Religion Distinguished Book Award 2008
Winner of American Sociological Association Distinguished Book Award in the Religion Section 2008