Problematizing Secularism: State Secularization through Political Contention in Turkey, Mexico, and France

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Abstract

This paper introduces a new theory of state secularism based on three dimensions of political contention: (1) property, (2) law and civic rights, (3) education. As opposed to theories affected by modernization perspectives that take secularism as a natural stage, I begin by problematizing secularism itself. I argue that state secularization is cyclical as opposed to linear and a continuum as opposed to a binary. Secular states exist in varying types and come to be through resolutions of political contention across different dimensions.

The cases of state secularization in Turkey, France, and Mexico following the breakdown of states with very high scope of religious authority are provided as examples to demonstrate common practices carried out by secularizing groups and show how varying success of these practices affect the resulting state structure.

Author

• Doga Kerestecioglu, University of Pennsylvania