Critical Transformations: Macrostructures, Religion, and Critique
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Authors
Zuidervaart, Lambert
Issue Date
2013-11
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Administrative state , Capitalism , Civil society , Critical theory , Religion , Social transformation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Can critical research on religion offer both an ideology critique and a critical retrieval of religious import? This essay suggests that it can, offering a programmatic sketch for a full-fledged critique of religion—a critique both aimed at religion and inspired by religion in a self-critical fashion. The sketch weds elements of a robustly normative critique of Western society with insights derived from the Frankfurt School. First the essay maps three societal macrostructures that organize much of contemporary social life—civil society, proprietary economy, and administrative state. Then it discusses solidarity, resourcefulness, and justice as societal principles that can sustain a critique of societal macrostructures. Next it identifies normative deficiencies within and between these macrostructures. On the basis of this architectonic critique, the essay then provides an account of religion in its critical and utopian roles. It concludes by envisioning a normative and emancipatory transformation of society as a whole.
Description
The version of this essay in ICS’s Institutional Repository is the one accepted for publication. The final definitive version, which includes an abstract and keywords as well as a diagram of societal macrostructures, has been published in the journal Critical Research on Religion 1.3 (2013): 243-269 by SAGE Publications Ltd., All rights reserved. © Lambert Zuidervaart. The published version has the DOI 10.1177/2050303213506475 and can be found at the SAGE Journals Online site: http://online.sagepub.com
Citation
Zuidervaart, Lambert. "Critical Transformations: Macrostructures, Religion, and Critique." Critical Research on Religion 1.3 (2013): 243-269
Publisher
SAGE Publications Ltd.
Journal
Critical Research on Religion
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
2050-3032