Secularization Theory’s Differentiation Problem: Revisiting the Historical Relationship between Differentiation and Religion

Much theorizing about secularization tells a “differentiation story” that puts historical process of structural differentiation at the center its understanding secularization. The heart story is claim increasing social spheres over time freed “secular” life (politics, economics, etc.) from religious control or domination. This conceptual framing has been widely shared by scholars in field, not only adherents classical paradigm, but also their leading critics supply-side and historicist–revisionist schools. While sometimes serves purely descriptive function, other times it used to explain (i.e., causes secularization). A close examination story, however, raises questions accuracy theoretical plausibility some core assumptions. Aspects require critical reconsideration include empirical generalizations, underspecified notion “spheres,” explanatory assumption are innately properly nonreligious.