Diversity as neoliberal governmentality: Towards a new sociological genealogy of religion. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burchardt, Marian
• Is Part Of: Social compass. Volume 64:Number 2(2017:Jun.)
• Page Start: 180
• Page End: 193
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: capitalism -- governmentality -- neoliberalism -- religious diversity; capitalisme -- diversité religieuse -- Foucault -- gouvernementalité -- néolibéralisme; Religion and sociology -- Periodicals; 306.605
• DOI: 10.1177/0037768617697391
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0037-7686

Abstract

In this article, I explore the connections between neoliberal capitalism and religion. I do so by tracing the roots of these connections as they evolved during the second part of the 20th century into the present. My main argument is that in contemporary Western societies the most important connections between neoliberal capitalism and religion emerge through the ways in which regimes of religious diversity have become a central form of power that can be fruitfully explored through the Foucauldian notion of governmentality.