The 20th century featured an unusual phenomenon: global secularizing movements. In the 19th century, these movements were confined mostly to Western Europe, but in the 20th century they exploded, suppressing the influence of religion around the world. In some milder cases, as in Turkey and India, they suppressed only the political expression of the great religions. In other cases, such as in the USSR and Mao’s China, ferocious religious persecution was a daily occurrence. In light of new political realities, however, older religious traditions are beginning to take back their influence in the public square. And they are doing so by rejecting the “liberalism” they see as their oppressor. Kevin Vallier will discuss these different anti-liberal movements, critique them, and explain how Christian liberals can understand and engage them.
Professor of Philosophy
Kevin Vallier is a Professor of Philosophy at Bowling Green State University, where he directs their program in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law. Vallier’s interests lie primarily in political philosophy, ethics, philosophy of religion, and philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE). He is the author of four monographs, five edited volumes, and over fifty peer-reviewed book chapters and journal articles. His books include Liberal Politics and Public Faith: Beyond Separation (Routledge 2014), Must Politics Be War? Restoring Our Trust in the Open Society (Oxford UP 2019), and Trust in a Polarized Age (Oxford UP 2020). His new book addresses radical religious alternatives to liberalism. It is entitled All the Kingdoms of the World: On Radical Religious Alternatives to Liberalism (Oxford UP 2023). For more information, see kevinvallier.com or follow him @kvallier on Twitter.
