The Role of Religion in Modern Societies

Detlef Pollack, Daniel V.A. Olson

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN: 9780415397049
• eBook ISBN: 9781134153824
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Sociology
• Index: Social Sciences

Does modernization lead to the decline of religion? This question lies at the centre of a key debate in the sociology of religion. During the past decade American scholars, using primarily American data, have dominated this debate and have made a strong case that the answer to this question is no. Recently, however, a new crop of European scholars, working with new sources of European data, have uncovered evidence that points toward an affirmitive answer.

This volume pays special attention to these trends and developments to provide the reader with a more well-rounded understanding of the many ways in which religion interacts with modernization. Respected scholars such as David Voas, Steve Bruce and Anthony Gill examine modern societies across the world in this splendid book which will interest sociologists, political scientists, historians, and theologians in equal measure.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title page
• Series page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Tables
• Figures
• Preface
• 1 Introduction: Religious Change in Modernsocieties—perspectives Offeredby the Sociology of Religion
• Section 1 Secularization Theory: Classical Assumptions and Ramifications
• Section 2 The Market Model: Classical Assumptions and Ramifications
• Section 3 The Individualization Thesis: Classical Assumptions and Ramifications
• Section 4 New Theories on Religion and Modernity Exemplified at the European Case
• List of Contributors
• Index