Religion and the Future of Democracy: The Inaugural Discussion of Intersections

Описание: May 23, 2024 | Amid complex global challenges, 2024 is a pivotal year for religion and democracies. Religious nationalism is on the rise in many parts of the world while democracy—as a political form and social value—is under sustained attack. At the same time, religious traditions continue to serve as a wellspring for democratic renewal for many.

This webinar, a discussion between Pratap Bhanu Mehta (Princeton University), David T. Buckley (University of Louisville), and Melissa Deckman (CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute), assessed the current relationship between religion and democracy globally and how changes in this relationship help and hinder democratic practice.

This webinar served as the inaugural event for the Social Science Research Council’s new platform on religion and international affairs Intersections. Prior to the discussion, Molly Laas, Director of the SSRC’s Religion and the Public Sphere Program, explains the purpose and features of Intersections.

https://intersections.ssrc.org/

Contents:
1:12 - Dr. Molly Laas introduces the Intersections Platform
7:11 - Introduction of Panelists
9:54 - Melissa Deckman Opens the Discussion
11:30 -Pratap Bhanu Mehta discusses the evolution of ideas about religion and democracy
21:30 - David Buckley discusses changing conceptions of religion and threats to democracy
24:04 - Pratap Bhanu Mehta discusses his research on Hindu nationalism and democracy in India
30:30 - David Buckley discusses comparative cases of religious nationalism
32:22 - David Buckley on religion and democracy in the Philippines
39:15 - Pratap Bhanu Mehta discusses religious pluralism, Hindu nationalism, and the legacy of Indian constitutionalism
44:22 - Melissa Deckman discusses data from the PRRI on Christian nationalism in the US.
50:32- Pratap Bhanu Mehta compares religious nationalism in the US and India
52:30 - David Buckley discusses research on Christian nationalism and Trump administration foreign policy
55:30 - Buckley and Mehta respond to questions + Closing