The Netherlands: One Nation Under God? Christendom, Citizenship and the Re-Sacralization of National Loyalty
17 Pages Posted: 25 Apr 2011
Date Written: April 21, 2011
Abstract
In a globalizing era, the loyalty of fellow-citizens has become a common concern in many liberal-democracies. Especially Muslim citizens are treated with suspicion. Often it is unclear, however, what kind of allegiance is expected. Taking the Netherlands as a case-study, this essay evaluates four conceptions of loyalty that are used in public debates. The focus is in particular on how religious traditions play a role in the construction of loyalty. From a normative-political and a theological perspective, the essay argues that a pragmatic-liberal understanding of loyalty recognizes most adequately both the importance of civic allegiance and the liberty of citizens to live in accordance with their faith.
Keywords: Multiculturalism, The Netherlands, Religion, Loyalty
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