The Price of Freedom Denied

Religious Persecution and Conflict in the Twenty-First Century

Roger Finke author Brian J Grim author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:6th Dec '10

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The Price of Freedom Denied cover

This book examines the extent and causes of contemporary religious persecution and conflict.

The Price of Freedom Denied shows that, contrary to popular opinion, ensuring religious freedom for all reduces violent religious persecution and conflict. Others have suggested that restrictions on religion are necessary to maintain order or preserve a peaceful religious homogeneity. Brian J. Grim and Roger Finke show that restricting religious freedoms is associated with higher levels of violent persecution. Relying on a new source of coded data for nearly 200 countries and case studies of six countries, the book offers a global profile of religious freedom and religious persecution. Grim and Finke report that persecution is evident in all regions and is standard fare for many. They also find that religious freedoms are routinely denied and that government and the society at large serve to restrict these freedoms. They conclude that the price of freedom denied is high indeed.

'… provides a data driven but accessible counter argument to Samuel P. Huntington's 'clash of civilisations' theory … Throughout … Grim and Finke deal with the most politically and culturally sensitive areas of study with delicacy but also with a directness that is refreshing, most notably in their in-depth exploration of the high rates of religious persecution present in many Muslim-majority societies. By identifying the elephant in the corner that is so often unacknowledged in discussions of conflict - the very nature of Islam itself - the authors provide insight into one of the most politically delicate areas of social scientific study … [brings] together a decade's worth of research … a challenge to those who seek to downplay the role of religion in modern conflict and violence … an invaluable evidence base for policy makers in all countries seeking ways to reduce persecution.' Rachel Dearlove, LSE Politics blog (blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy)
'The Price of Freedom Denied sets the standard for further study of religious persecution and the value of religious freedom. It should be read by anyone interested in those issues or their implications for democracy, peace, and economic prosperity.' Thomas F. Farr, Journal of Church and State
'[A] dense and thought-provoking book … with the dispassion and technical sophistication of a NASA camera photographing Earth.' Jonathan Benthall, The Times Literary Supplement

  • Winner of A Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2011

ISBN: 9780521146838

Dimensions: 230mm x 155mm x 15mm

Weight: 370g

272 pages