Religious Pluralism and Political Stability: Obligations in Agreement (Routledge Innovations in Political Theory)

This book argues that the principles and institutions of political liberalism are necessary conditions for achieving reliable stability amid conditions of pluralism. Only a political system of this sort can bring citizens’ moral, religious, and political loyalties into robust agreement. Through an analysis that encompasses normative political theory and American constitutional law, David Golemboski illustrates the implications of this conclusion by examining contemporary legal debates in law and religion. By developing a fresh perspective on how legal frameworks for religious exercise and establishment can ameliorate conflict and enhance the stability of a liberal constitution, this book demonstrates that political systems need not subordinate or sacrifice important liberal priorities in favor of stability. Rather, those liberal priorities are themselves necessary components of a stable order. __Religious Pluralism and Political Stability__ will be of interest to scholars across the fields of political philosophy, legal theory, and constitutional law who have an interest in religion. Cover Endorsement Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Acknowledgements Introduction Taking Stability Seriously Plan of the Book References Part I Stability and the Foundations of Political Liberalism 1 Justificatory Stability Inherent Stability Brute Force and the Problem of Transcendent Interests The Case for a Modus Vivendi The Inadequacy of a Modus Vivendi Justification: The Right Reason for Stability Pluralism and the Feasibility of Justificatory Stability References 2 Hobbesian Political Liberalism Causes of Conflict: Equality and Disagreement The Priority of Non-Material Interests The Persistence of Disagreement and the Illiberal Solution Beyond a Modus Vivendi Conditions for Stability A Presumption in Favor of Liberty Distributive Equality Justificatory Neutrality The Rule of Law Democracy? Hobbesian Political Liberalism References 3 Motivating Liberal Loyalty The Liberal Problem of Ineffective Endorsement A Harmonization of Loyalties Loyalty Without Nationalism? Toward a Shared Constitutional Culture Political and Religious Conditions of Harmonization Moral Communities as a Source of Stability References Part II Justificatory Stability and the Law of Religion 4 Conflicts of Loyalty in Religion and Law Pluralism and the Practical Inevitability of Conflicting Loyalties Overlapping Jurisdictions and Incidental Burdens “Bending” Conflicts Away Creative Compromise References 5 Religious Exemptions as a Mechanism for Political Stability Exemptions as Relief for Conflicts of Loyalties The Ambivalence of Exemptions: Balancing for Stability Size of Exempted Class Burdens On Third Parties Insincerity and Secular Benefits “Weaponization” of Conscience for Political Agendas Adjudicating Exemptions Is Religion Special? Conscience Association Relational Loyalty References 6 Endorsement, Entanglement, and Religious Neutrality Coerced Observance Endorsement of Religion Privileged Identification Entanglement Establishment Federalism Is Religion Special? Redux References 7 Conclusion Obligations, Religious and Political References Index of Cases Index "This book argues that the principles and institutions of political liberalism are necessary conditions for achieving reliable stability amid conditions of pluralism. Only a political system of this sort can bring citizens' moral, religious, and political loyalties into robust agreement. Through an analysis that encompasses normative political theory and American constitutional law, David Golemboski illustrates the implications of this conclusion by examining contemporary legal debates in law and religion. By developing a fresh perspective on how legal frameworks for religious exercise and establishment can ameliorate conflict and enhance the stability of a liberal constitution, this book demonstrates that political systems need not subordinate or sacrifice important liberal priorities in favor of stability. Rather, those liberal priorities are themselves necessary components of a stable order. Religious Pluralism and Political Stability will be of interest to scholars across the fields of political philosophy, legal theory, and constitutional law who have an interest in religion"-- Provided by publisher