Religion and the American Political Culture: Alternative Models of Citizenship and Discipleship
Author(s)
Jelen, Ted G.
Abstract
Three models of the American political culture are considered: consensus theories, dualistic theories, and pluralism. The appropriate role of religion in each is examined, and the risks to both politics and religion are assessed. The thesis of this essay is that disagreements about the appropriate role of religion in American politics result from disagreement about the general nature of democratic politics. Symbolically, “democracy” is a warm, positive entity, which officially has no enemies ( Sartori 1965). Nevertheless, the essential characteristics of democratic government remain elusive and controversial. My purpose here is to survey a range of possibilities, and to suggest that the roles of religion in democratic theories are as varied and nuanced as democratic theories themselves.
