Tag: Christianity

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Dutch Politics, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Press Release, “Hans-Martien ten Napel publishes a volume on democracy as a cultural phenomenon”

Hans-Martien ten Napel

Hans-Martien ten Napel recently published a volume with Routledge, Culture, Secularization, and Democracy; Lessons from Alexis de Tocqueville, co-edited with Prof. Sophie van Bijsterveld (Radboud University Nijmegen). The volume is a sequel to the earlier Dutch-language, and Netherlands-focused, volume Een nieuwe politieke formule. Ideeën voor staat en samenleving geïnspireerd door Alexis de Tocqueville (A New Political Formula: Ideas for… Continue reading Press Release, “Hans-Martien ten Napel publishes a volume on democracy as a cultural phenomenon”

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Coming Soon: Volume on “Culture, Secularization and Democracy. Lessons from Alexis de Tocqueville”

Hans-Martien ten Napel

"Following the approach developed by Alexis de Tocqueville, this volume views democracy as a cultural phenomenon. It starts from the assumption that if we are to adequately address concerns about the current state and future of modern Western democracies, we need first to tackle the cultural preconditions necessary for the functioning of a democracy. Since… Continue reading Coming Soon: Volume on “Culture, Secularization and Democracy. Lessons from Alexis de Tocqueville”

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Reflection paper by Richard Ekins, “Some features of liberalism in a censorious age.”

Hans-Martien ten Napel

It has long been my intention to draw occasional attention in this place to the work of colleagues at home and abroad that inspires me. This exceptional paper by Richard Ekins provides a good opportunity to put this intention into practice finally. Richard Ekins is a Professor of Law and Constitutional Government at the University… Continue reading Reflection paper by Richard Ekins, “Some features of liberalism in a censorious age.”

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Chair, Author Meets Critique panel, Catholic Cosmopolitanism and Human Rights

Hans-Martien ten Napel

Next Thursday, I have the pleasure of moderating a book panel on Dr. Leonard Taylor's book Catholic Cosmopolitanism and Human Rights (Cambridge University Press, 2020). The panel takes place during the hybrid annual conference of the European Academy of Religion. On the back cover, I wrote the following recommendation at the time: 'Catholic cosmopolitanism has… Continue reading Chair, Author Meets Critique panel, Catholic Cosmopolitanism and Human Rights

Democracy, Dutch Politics, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Article ‘A sense of reality is required: the European People’s Party as a bridge between Tradition and modernity’

Hans-Martien ten Napel

The latest edition of the Montesquieu Institute's newsletter, De Hofvijver, contains a section on 'Forty Years of the Dutch Christian Democratic Appeal,' which also includes a contribution from my hand. This contribution, entitled 'Realiteitszin gevraagd: de Europese Volkspartij als brug tussen Traditie en moderniteit,' tries to build a bridge between my earlier work as a… Continue reading Article ‘A sense of reality is required: the European People’s Party as a bridge between Tradition and modernity’

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Law and Religion, Public Theology, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Essay “A Natural Law Basis for Human Rights?” on Canopy Forum

Hans-Martien ten Napel

The opening paragraph of the essay reads as follows: "Attempts by the United States State Department’s Commission on Unalienable Rights to identify a subset of proper “unalienable rights” within the broader category of human rights are sometimes perceived as an almost reactionary effort. The adoption of a historical-philosophical perspective reveals that, on the contrary, even… Continue reading Essay “A Natural Law Basis for Human Rights?” on Canopy Forum

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Law and Religion, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

‘Review Essay: Theological Medicine for Liberal Democracy’, in Journal of Markets & Morality, Vol. 22, No. 1 (Spring 2019)

Hans-Martien ten Napel

Photo Credit: Seth Thompson, © 2017 Green Frog Photo   'Abstract As Smith points out, the genealogy of liberal democracy demonstrates that liberalism is nothing less than the prodigal son of Christianity. Thus, it becomes plausible that Christianity has a continuing role to play in a liberal democracy. Smith might even be right that it is… Continue reading ‘Review Essay: Theological Medicine for Liberal Democracy’, in Journal of Markets & Morality, Vol. 22, No. 1 (Spring 2019)

Democracy, Dutch Politics, Law and Religion, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Blogpost ‘The Political Theology of Thierry Baudet’

Hans-Martien ten Napel

Governments have historically relied on metaphysical sources for their legitimacy. The French Revolution intended to put an end to this. However, with the current rise of populism, among other things, we are witnessing a revival of political theology. Read the whole blogpost here: https://leidenlawblog.nl/articles/the-political-theology-of-thierry-baudet. See also:

Comparative Constitutional Law, Democracy, Law and Religion, Religion and Politics, Whither Europe?

Call for Papers, Panel on Public Theology and its potential for Law and Religion scholarship

Hans-Martien ten Napel

UPDATE: see for the call: I am currently putting together a panel for the 2019 conference of the European Academy of Religion on the question of what, if anything, law and religion scholarship can learn from public theology works such as James K.A. Smith's Awaiting the King. Anyone interested in joining the panel, please let… Continue reading Call for Papers, Panel on Public Theology and its potential for Law and Religion scholarship