How can religious liberty be guaranteed in societies where religion pervades everyday life? In The Wheel of Law; Gary Jacobsohn addresses this dilemma by examining the constitutional development of secularism in India within an unprecedented cross-national framework that includes Israel and the United States. He argues that a country's particular constitutional theory and practice must be understood within its social and political context. The experience of India; where religious life is in profound tension with secular democratic commitment; offers a valuable perspective not only on questions of jurisprudence and political theory arising in countries where religion permeates the fabric of society; but also on the broader task of ensuring religious liberty in constitutional polities. India's social structure is so entwined with religion; Jacobsohn emphasizes; that meaningful social reform presupposes state intervention in the spiritual domain. Hence India's "ameliorative" model of secular constitutionalism; designed to ameliorate the disabling effects of the caste system and other religiously based practices. Jacobsohn contrasts this with the "visionary" secularism of Israel; where the state identifies itself with a particular religion; and with America's "assimilative" secularism. Constitutional globalization is as much a reality as economic globalization; Jacobsohn concludes; and within this phenomenon the place of religion in liberal democracy is among the most vexing challenges confronting us today. A richly textured account of the Indian experience with secularism; developed in a broad comparative framework; this book is for all those seeking ways to respond to this challenge.
#393509 in Books Princeton University Press 1991-01-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.14 x 6.00l; 1.61 #File Name: 0691020477504 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. More Kabbala In EnglishBy thirdtwinAnother of Scholem's ground breaking works on mysticism- sterling effort in his attempt to bring the ideas to a wider audience in english and rejuvenate interest in the study of kabbala in general; a goal in which he succeeded.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. I have every one of his books and they are the most perfect books for those who must know kabbalahBy Sharon CampbellGershom Scholem; what more would I have to say. I have every one of his books and they are the most perfect books for those who must knowkabbalah. It is the mystic wonder you will never forget.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. PERHAPS A BETTER INTRODUCTION TO KABALAH THAN THE KABALAH ITSELF.By voghitA good read and; owing at leas to up-to-date scholarship working with recent archaeological findings; is perhaps. a better introduction to Kabalah than the Kabalah itself.. Glad I have a number of very good dictionaries for; despite a good classical education and many years of wide reading; I ran into a number of words I had never seen before..
