The Netherlands: One Nation Under God? Christendom, Citizenship and the Re-Sacralization of National Loyalty

Abstract:     
In a globalizing era, the loyalty of fellow-citizens has become a common concern in many liberal-democracies. Especially Muslim citizens are treated with suspicion. Often it is unclear, however, what kind of allegiance is expected. Taking the Netherlands as a case-study, this essay evaluates four conceptions of loyalty that are used in public debates. The focus is in particular on how religious traditions play a role in the construction of loyalty. From a normative-political and a theological perspective, the essay argues that a pragmatic-liberal understanding of loyalty recognizes most adequately both the importance of civic allegiance and the liberty of citizens to live in accordance with their faith.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 17

Keywords: Multiculturalism, The Netherlands, Religion, Loyalty

working papers series