Ethnic, racial and religious inequalities [electronic resource] : the perils of subjectivity / Marie Macey and Alan H. Carling.

9780230294875 (electronic bk.)
0230294871 (electronic bk.)
9780230247635
0230247636

Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.

English

1 online resource (xii, 220 p.) : ill.

BL60 .M273 2011eb

200.89

This book challenges some of the most basic assumptions underpinning the growing interest in religion, including: that religion is increasing and secularisation is decreasing and that religion is the main component of identity for all minority ethnic people. This book examines the growing interest in religion among academics, politicians, law and policy makers, and practitioners in the West, particularly in Britain and the European Union. Using an extensive body of research from a range of national and international sources, the authors challenge some of the most basic assumptions that underpin this. These include: the belief that religion is currently enjoying a global resurgence, while the process of secularization is declining; that discrimination and prejudice based on religion is so widespread in Western Europe that it is necessary to implement legal measures to protect against this; that religion is such a central component of minority ethnic identity as to justify the British Government's redefinition of ethnic groups as 'faith communities', and the French Government's reassertion of secularism. The authors analyse some of the reasons for the gap between belief (perception) and reality and assess some of the potential consequences for both minorities and majorities of what they term an 'ideology of inequality.'.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 166-197) and index.

Access limited to authorized users.

Description based on print version record.

Migration, minorities, and citizenship.

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