Description

Laïcité is often praised as France's sacred principle—or condemned as its quiet weapon. But what is it really?

From the French Revolution to modern debates over headscarves, schools, and national identity, Laïcité: The History and Future of Secularism in France cuts through slogans to reveal the political, philosophical, and cultural forces behind one of the world's most controversial models of secularism.

Blending history, law, and contemporary analysis, this book traces how laïcité evolved from a radical tool against clerical power into a defining—yet deeply contested—pillar of the French Republic. It challenges common assumptions, exposes contradictions, and asks the urgent question facing France today: can laïcité unite a diverse society, or has it become a source of division?

Essential reading for anyone interested in religion and politics, European identity, freedom of expression, and the future of secular democracy.