The status of Islam in Western societies remains deeply contentious. Countering strident claims on both the right and left; Legal Integration of Islam offers an empirically informed analysis of how four liberal democracies―France; Germany; Canada; and the United States―have responded to the challenge of integrating Islam and Muslim populations. Demonstrating the centrality of the legal system to this process; Christian Joppke and John Torpey reject the widely held notion that Europe is incapable of accommodating Islam and argue that institutional barriers to Muslim integration are no greater on one side of the Atlantic than the other.While Muslims have achieved a substantial degree of equality working through the courts; political dynamics increasingly push back against these gains; particularly in Europe. From a classical liberal viewpoint; religion can either be driven out of public space; as in France; or included without sectarian preference; as in Germany. But both policies come at a price―religious liberty in France and full equality in Germany. Often seen as the flagship of multiculturalism; Canada has found itself responding to nativist and liberal pressures as Muslims become more assertive. And although there have been outbursts of anti-Islamic sentiment in the United States; the legal and political recognition of Islam is well established and largely uncontested.Legal Integration of Islam brings to light the successes and the shortcomings of integrating Islam through law without denying the challenges that this religion presents for liberal societies.
#1497300 in Books Harvard University Press 2011-03-18 2011-02-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.12 x .99 x 5.31l; .83 #File Name: 0674060482352 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It's a great book for my next historical novelBy Sue B. DetischIt's a great book for my next historical novel. The research and biographies are wonderful as is the detail that is described.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. As good as history books can beBy Lynn A. BonfieldGood history written in easy-to-read style. Women have been neglected in Civil War histories so this was a real winner. I've recommended it to others in this year of Civil War remembrance0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Author's Bias Ruins the BookBy Mary C. HudginsBased on the title of this book; I was looking forward to reading it. I knew I was in trouble when the author made her bias very clear in the prologue. She said she was going to prove that all the others who've written about women in the Civil War; including those who were there; were wrong. In her view the Civil War only proved the lowly status of women and that they were unable to handle the responsibilities thrust on them by the war.While she cites her examples; I kept getting the feeling that she was cherry-picking or mis-interpreting what was written by women of the time. An example: in the Epilogue she quotes a nurse who wrote of "seeing soldiers 'faithfully plodding through the dust protecting me' had made her 'feel more insignificant than words can express'." In the author's view this proves the nurse learned how "subordinate" she was. A better interpretation; one most of us would say on watching the same thing today; would be gratitude for the sacrifice the troops are making for us.I made it through the book; but I would not recommend this as an introduction to women in the Civil War; it's just too biased.
