Modood, Tariq y Thomas Sealy. 2024. The new governance of religious diversity. Cambridge: Polity Press. 180 p.

Abstract

This review examines The new governance of religious diversity (2024), in which Tariq Modood and Thomas Sealy propose a reconfiguration of the relationship between the State and religion. The authors challenge the “secularization thesis” and the “blindness to difference” inherent in political liberalism, arguing that religion remains a decisive factor in the public sphere. Their central proposal is the transition toward a “multiculturalized” or “moderate” secularism, which preserves state autonomy while recognizing religious identities as public goods and sources of ethical capital. Through a strategy of “leveling up”, they suggest extending the privileges of historical religions to minorities to foster social cohesion. Utilizing a global contextualist approach, the work decolonizes secularism by validating governance models adapted to macro-regional realities. However, the review identifies critical limitations: the proposal relies on a dialogic “good fait” that is scarce in climates of affective polarization and risks being instrumentalized by majoritarian nationalisms. Furthermore, it questions whether the loss of strict legal separation leaves minorities vulnerable to the tyranny of the majority. Despite challenges regarding its normative applicability, the book stands out for its sociological realism and its ability to provide practical tools for managing religious diversity.