The claim that modern societies are less religious than their predecessors because modernity itself undermines the plausibility of religion has been almost an orthodoxy. But increasingly this "secularization thesis" is being challenged on a number of fronts. Leading sociologists and historians who share a common interest in advancing our understanding of religious change here clarify the key elements of this thesis, testing them against appropriate data bases. The book discusses the thesis and explores such issues as church adherence in the nineteenth century in the United States Europe, the...

Steve Bruce's important new study presents a detailed comparative analysis of conservative Protestant politics in the UK, USA, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Reflecting on the nature and place of religion in industrial societies, Bruce examines the constraints that culturally diverse societies place on those who wish to promote political agendas based on religious ideas.

People of the western world now have unprecedented freedom to choose their religion. Here, one of the world's leading sociologist of religion argues that the liberty and freedom to choose religion corrodes faith and that religion remains most vital when it is part of ethnic and national identity.

Islamic fundamentalists wreck the financial heart of New York; Hindus destroy a mosque at Ayodhya; Orthodox Jews battle Palestinians for possession of holy sites; in Egypt, Israel and India political leaders are murdered by religious zealots. In many parts of the world, religion combines with ethnic and national conflict to stimulate political militancy. The collapse of Communism and the failure of Western secular models of development have stimulated the revival of religiously inspired nationalisms. Even in stable affluent democracies, religion is a powerful influence on political...

With over 1000 entries on key concepts and theorists, The SAGE Dictionary of Sociology provides full coverage of the field, clarifying the technical use of apparently common words, explaining the fundamentals concepts, and introducing new and unfamiliar terms. A humorous, enjoyable read, this book provides authoritative, reliable definitions; accessible 'digests' of key arguments; contemporary, and appealing illustrations of points.

With over 1000 entries on key concepts and theorists, The SAGE Dictionary of Sociology provides full coverage of the field, clarifying the technical use of apparently common words, explaining the fundamentals concepts, and introducing new and unfamiliar terms. A humorous, enjoyable read, this book provides authoritative, reliable definitions; accessible 'digests' of key arguments; contemporary, and appealing illustrations of points.

On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Northern Ireland Troubles', Ulster's once dominant unionists are an increasingly alienated people. In this timely assessment of the prospects for peace, Steve Bruce examines the embittered world-view of two key sections of Ulster unionism: the loyalist terrorists and the evangelical supporters of Ian Paisley. To get to the heart of the unionist position Bruce asks how they see the last twenty-five years, what they want from the future, what they think they will get, what they will accept, and what they will fight to oppose. He describes the Troubles as a...