Towards a New Theory of Religion and Social Change: Sovereignties and Disruptions

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This book argues that neither theories of secularisation nor theories of lived religion offer satisfactory accounts of religion and social change. Drawing from Deleuze and Gauttaris idea of the assemblage, Paul-Francois Tremlett outlines an alternative. Informed by classical and contemporary theories of religion as well as empirical case studies and ethnography conducted in Manila and London, this book re-frames religion as spatially organised flows. Foregrounding the agency of hon-human actors, it offers a compelling and original account of religion and social change.

Reviews

Paul-Franois Tremlett offers a treasure trove of concepts and methods to describe how social worlds change in relation to the category of religion. His is an inspiring, kaleidoscopic presentation of contemporary theory that draws on ideas about secularization, biology, economics, politics, post-humanism, assemblages, bricolage, music and original artwork to expand and enrich the vision and interdisciplinary toolkit of scholars and students of politics, religious studies, sociology and intellectual history. * Naomi Goldenberg, Professor of Religious Studies, University of Ottawa, Canada *
Assembling key critical theorists with the interactions of grassroots religious activists, Paul-Franois Tremlett proposes a new approach to religion and social change. Excitingly disruptive, his argument provides tools for understanding and rethinking transformations. * Graham Harvey, Professor of Religious Studies, The Open University, UK *
Tremlett's approach is very promising: its strengths lie in the reorganization of classical approaches, and in this I identify the potential of the text to become a new standard work in religious studies. I would like to once again praise Tremlett's courageous initiative. * Zeitschrift fr junge Religionswissenschaft - Journal for Young Religious Studies (Bloomsbury Translation) *

Author Bio

Paul-Franois Tremlett is Lecturer in Religious Studies & Director of Research Degrees (Arts), The Open University, UK. He is the author of Religion and the Discourse on Modernity (2008, Bloomsbury) and Levi-Strauss on Religion (2008).