Hamid Ahmadi; Borhan Salimi
Abstract
The US model of secularism policies include disestablishment of religion and guaranteeing religious freedom through adding related articles in the constitution and the first amendment, the lack of religious education in public schools, the freedom of religious private education, the lack of funding for ...
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The US model of secularism policies include disestablishment of religion and guaranteeing religious freedom through adding related articles in the constitution and the first amendment, the lack of religious education in public schools, the freedom of religious private education, the lack of funding for religious private schools, the neutrality of the state towards the followers of different religions, and non-opposition to the presence and expression of religious symbols in the public domain. The realization of some of these policies has been the result of a historical process. The current study not only examines the rise and fall in US secularism from 1776 to 1980, but also addresses the impact of plurality and religious rivalry, rational calculations and liberal tendencies of US political leaders on constructing strengthening the secularism. The Protestant Semi-establishment through the Second Great Awakening and its hegemony in the public sphere were among serious challenges to the process of consolidating the US secularism in the nineteenth century. But with the increase in the population of Catholic and Jewish minorities, religious rivalries among them and the activities of secular organizations and movements, the increasing political and institutional influence of Evangelical Protestants and religious conservatives diminished, and the way forward was to expand the process of secularization in the twentieth century.
Aliashraf Nazari; Borhan Salimi
Abstract
The Gülen movement as a religious movement rose in the early 1970s and has enormous resources, millions of fans and thousands of educational institutions, culture and numerous media outlets in Turkey and worldwide. In recent decades elements such as democracy, tolerance, inter-religious dialogue ...
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The Gülen movement as a religious movement rose in the early 1970s and has enormous resources, millions of fans and thousands of educational institutions, culture and numerous media outlets in Turkey and worldwide. In recent decades elements such as democracy, tolerance, inter-religious dialogue and market economy have been included in the discourse of the Gülen movement. Different researchers’ emphasis on civil and modern elements of movement caused the ignoring of its undemocratic and deeply political layers. In the past decade, these features have created major challenges for the Turkish government and the coup in July 2016 has been one of the main examples. The main question of this paper is whether the movement can be a democratic and non-political Islamic movement. The hypothesis is that statist understanding of Islam, and the government's lack of preference for the rights of the individual, elitist tendencies, extreme centralization of organization, hierarchical structure, top-down decisions and absolute obedience and lack of accountability of the movement against criticism reveal the repressive policy, the authoritarianism and undemocratic nature of this movement.
Aliashraf Nazari; Borhan Salimi
Abstract
Purpose: In recent decades, the far-right populist parties and movements, after a recess (in Germany and Italy between the two world wars), have returned to the political scene of European democracy. Return of populism to the political scene of Western Europe in the form of far-right movements rooted ...
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Purpose: In recent decades, the far-right populist parties and movements, after a recess (in Germany and Italy between the two world wars), have returned to the political scene of European democracy. Return of populism to the political scene of Western Europe in the form of far-right movements rooted in the failure of the traditional parties in a sufficient and adequate response to issues such as globalization, economy and culture, speed and direction of integration in Europe, the issue of migration and immigration, the decline of ideologies, decreased interest in political participation and cynicism and distrust of citizens to politicians. Findings: In recent decades, Far-right parties not only have been able to present tangibly in the political life of their communities, but also have attained great successes in electoral processes. Extreme right-wing populism in recent decades is only a model of populism in political sociology. The elements and features of this model of populism are a romantic concepttion of the people, a charismatic leader, pessimistic view of democratic institutions such as political parties and parliament (the inability of these institutions in the realization of the will and sovereignty of the people), plain language, propaganda, political rhetoric, criticizing the ruling elite, conspiracy theory in speech and political literature, and the lack of a coherent program in various aspects. This model of right-wing populism can have significant consequences. It can lead to the serious obstacles to the process of integration of Muslim immigrants in French society. On the other hand, the strengthening of radical Islamism can lead to the spread of terrorist activities. Design/Methodology/Approach: In this paper, we use interpretive and analytical-theoretical method to discuss the French National Front as the most prominent representative of the extreme right in this country's political scene. Originality/Value: The main finding of this paper is that through new forms of communication, populist parties have been able to communicate with citizens and their representatives. Despair of traditional policies has drawn citizens’ attention to populist parties and movements. The combination of demagogic promises and slogans such as complete and real democracy, extremely hostile attitude to the ruling parties and immigration restrictations have shaped these parties and movements.
