The power of positive connections : western European approaches to state-religion relations and radicalisation

Abstract

How can state-religion relations be developed in ways that foster democratic engagement and act against radicalisation without interfering in the legitimate workings of religious institutions and organisations? The need to answer this complex question has gained urgency in the wake of high-profile terrorist attacks in recent years and ensuing policy responses focussed on addressing radicalisation. Our assessment of counter-radicalisation measures in Belgium, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom reveals that Western European countries have so far failed to produce a satisfactory answer to the above question. Indeed, these measures (which are duplicated to a large extent in other Western countries) have imposed undue restrictions on public religion - above all on Islam - without producing noticeable benefits.