Religion and Multiculturalism in Liberal European Democracies

This chapter explores the governance of religious diversity in Western Europe, focusing on the interplay between secularism, religious freedom, and accommodation of religious minorities. It introduces a typology of governance, highlighting moderate secularism as practiced in Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Turkiye, and argues for its evolution into a multicultural form. The chapter analyzes the historical development of political secularism, the role of religion in public life, and the dynamic nature of state–religion relationships. It contrasts European and US secularism, noting higher levels of secularization in Europe and the influence of historical and confessional factors on state–church relations. A new typology for the governance of religious diversity is presented, identifying five modes of governance, including majoritarian nationalism, secularist statism, and moderate secularism. The chapter concludes that the governance of religious diversity is dynamic and context-dependent, influenced by both formal norms and their practical application. It examines the implications of French secularist laws on religious diversity, highlighting their indiscriminate impact on various faiths.