Unveiling The French Republic

Per-Erik Nilsson, Ph.D (2012) is director and researcher at the Centre for Multidisciplinary Studies on Racism, Uppsala University. He has written and published extensively on the intersections of secularism, religion, and violence, including “Where’s Charlie?”, in the Cambridge Companion to Religion and Terrorism (ed. James Lewis, Cambridge University Press, 2017).

• Series Editor’s PrefaceAcknowledgementsAbbreviationsIntroduction: Everybody Welcome to FrancePart I. Approaching French Secularism1 (French) SecularismSecularization, the Secular, and SecularismSecularism(s)CritiqueIncongruitiesContradictionsA Western Gaze?Previous Research on the Islamic Veil Affairs and SecularismAnalyzing SecularismA Critical Approach to SecularismSecularism as GovernmentalitySecularism as Discourse2 A Shield Against AlterityThe Islamic Veil Affairs19892003–20042007–2011State Feminism and the Other-WomanAlterity and CommunitarianismNation, AssimilationPart II. The First Islamic Veil Affair3 Ideological Battle FlagsA New and Unwanted SituationPost-Christian Islamic ChallengesA Question of Integration?ManipulationIslamic CommunitarianismA Glocalized WorldParticular Versus National LawDiscrimination and ViolenceOver T/hereAttacking SecularismBehind the VeilWhat Does It Represent?Why Do They Wear It?Conclusion4 Inventing SecularismAn Unruly March Towards UnityFrom Clash to AtonementExceptionalityThe Cornerstone of the Republic(Forced) LibertyEquality and NeutralityBrotherhood, Integration and French CommunitarianismLegislation, EducationConsensusUrgencyLegislative PedagogyAn Anti-Islamic Law?ConclusionPart III. The Second Islamic Veil Affair5 The Tip of the IcebergNew Times, Old ThreatsThe Return of ReligionOver T/hereStigmatization?Walking CoffinsA Religious and/or Political SymbolAn Attack on the Republic’s Principles and the Dignity of WomenVoluntary SubmissionConclusion6 (Re)Inventing SecularismThe History of a Christian CivilizationA Christian NationHistorical EmancipationThe Motor of Limited ToleranceRespecting a Value, Respecting a PrincipleDiversity, Positive Secularism and ToleranceFaith, Hope, and UnityLegislate, Educate!ReaffirmationLegitimacySecuring Public OrderConclusionPart IV. Consequences7 Social Contracts, National Borders and Illiberal GovernmentalityNational Frontiers and Social ContractsDiscursive Displacement and Liberal FaithPost-Political ExpansionRomantic Ideals and Secularist RetaliationBibliographyIndex