Religious Liberty in Transitional Societies The Politics of Religion [Hardcover]

John Anderson constructs a theoretical framework where he compares and contrasts the politics of religious liberty in politically evolving countries.This book explores the politics of religious liberty in states undergoing political change. In such societies individuals struggle to find meaning in the seeming chaos of change, religious elites seek to define their own role within the new order and political elites seek new ways to ensure legitimacy and build national unity. Contrasting the politics of religious liberty in a number of Southern and Eastern European countries, Anderson attempts to expose the wider problem of creating a democratic mentality in such transitional societies.This book explores the politics of religious liberty in states undergoing political change. In such societies individuals struggle to find meaning in the seeming chaos of change, religious elites seek to define their own role within the new order and political elites seek new ways to ensure legitimacy and build national unity. Contrasting the politics of religious liberty in a number of Southern and Eastern European countries, Anderson attempts to expose the wider problem of creating a democratic mentality in such transitional societies.Individuals struggle to find meaning within the chaos of states undergoing political change. Religious elites seek to define their role within the new order while political elites search for new ways to ensure legitimacy and develop national unity. Contrasting the politics of religious liberty in a number of Southern and Eastern European countries, John Anderson explores the broader issue of creating a democratic mentality in such transitional societies. In the process he exposes the use of privilege and discrimination practiced by religious and political elites in these societies.Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Southern Europe: Spain and Greece; 3. Central and Eastern Europe: Poland and Bulgaria; 4. The former USSR: Russia and the successor states; 5. Jusl,