| The dissertation looks at the enduring nature of religious nationalism in certain European states in spite of the broader trend towards secular identity. Through a combination of in-depth case studies (Ireland, England, Poland, Greece) and cross-case analysis, I argue that religious frontiers, or geographic lines of division between different and unique religions, are central to identity formation. Examples of religious frontiers include the Protestant/Catholic divide between Ireland and Britain, the Hindu/Muslim divide between Pakistan and India, and the Orthodox/Muslim divide between Greece and Turkey. Since most European religions are universalistic (i.e. they appeal to a wide audience), they lack usefulness for identity-building. The importance of religious frontiers in changing this relationship has been remarkably under-examined in previous research. Religion becomes a useful tool for nation-building at these religious divides. Although religion may not be the root of conflict in these instances, the conflict takes on religious tones because of its ability to unite an otherwise diverse population. Religion takes precedence over language, culture, or other national building-blocks because the "other" can best be distinguished in religious terms (i.e. the Irish perception of the English as Protestant because other tools are ineffective---language, ethnicity, etc.). The in-depth case studies allow for a deep historical understanding of the processes which converge to create a modern religious nation. In addition, the cross-case analysis allows the findings to be tested across the entirety of Europe (East and West) and solves the problem of case selection.; This dissertation expands greatly on the current understanding of the conditions in which religious nationalism develops and points to the importance of threats in the formation of religious identities, as opposed to the current understanding (Buzan & Waever; Huntington) that religious identities create religious threats. My work has implications for our understanding of secularization, European politics, foreign policy, and much more. |
