Christendom and European Identity: The Legacy of a Grand Narrative since 1789 / Edition 1

by Mary Anne Perkins

Overview

This book critically explores the idea of Europe since the French Revolution from the perspective of intellectual history. It traces the dominant and recurring theme of Europe-as-Christendom in discourse concerning the relationship of religion, politics and society, in historiography and hermeneutics, and in theories and constructions of identity and ‘otherness’. It examines the evolution of a grand narrative by which European elites have sought to define European and national identity. This narrative, the author argues, maintains the existence of common historical and intellectual roots, common values, culture and religion. The book explores its powerful legacy in the positive creation of a sense of European unity, the ways in which it has been exploited for ideological purposes, and its impact on non-Christian communities within Europe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783110182446
Publisher:	De Gruyter
Publication date:	10/25/2004
Series:	Religion and Society , #40
Edition description:	Reprint 2014
Pages:	397
Product dimensions:	6.34(w) x 9.22(h) x 1.03(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Mary Anne Perkins was a historian of ideas at Kingston UniversityUK and a researcher at the School of Advanced Studies London (retired)