In this course, we explore religious justifications for political authority from the perspective of political and democratic theory. Many states face the rise of groups that are called “Christian nationalists”. What are core ideas of Christian Nationalists and related postliberals? How do they criticize the political status quo and what are their political goals? What are their normative values and theoretical sources? What are the dangers of Christian nationalists for contemporary democracies?

Please note: In several sessions, we will work without digital devices, meaning that the use of smartphones, laptops and tablets will only be possible in exceptional cases during these sessions.

Studienleistung:

-          Review of a recent academic book related to the topic of our class

Prüfungsleistung:

-          Term paper

Literature:

Field, L. K. (2025). Furious minds: The making of the MAGA New Right. Princeton University Press.

Gorski, P. S., & Perry, S. L. (2022). The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy. Oxford University Press.

Kurs im HIS-LSF