In a thoroughly revised and expanded edition that now includes France, this essential text offers a rigorous, systematic comparison of church-state relations in six Western nations: the United States, France, England, Germany, the Netherlands, and Australia. As successful and stable political democracies, these countries share a commitment to protecting the religious rights of their citizens. The book demonstrates, however, that each has taken substantially different approaches to resolving basic church-state questions. The authors examine both the historical roots of those differences and more recent conflicts over Islam and other religious minorities, explain how contemporary church-state issues are addressed, and provide a framework for assessing the success of each of the six states in protecting the religious rights of its citizens using a framework based on the ideal of governmental neutrality and evenhandedness toward people of all faiths and of none.
Responding to the general confusion about the relationship between church and state in the West, this book offers a much-needed comparative analysis of a topic that is increasingly a source of political conflict. The authors argue that the US conception of church-state separation, with its emphasis on avoiding government establishment of religion, is unique among political democracies and discriminates against religious groups by denying religious organizations access to government services provided to other organizations. The authors persuasively conclude that the United States can learn a great deal from other Western nations in promoting religious neutrality and the free exercise of religion.

Preface to the Third Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Chapter One: Introduction
Part I: Models of Separation
Chapter Two: The United States: Strict Separation under Fire
Chapter Three: France: Separation from the Public Square
Part II: Models of Pluralism
Chapter Four: The Netherlands: Principled Pluralism
Chapter Five: Australia: Pragmatic Pluralism
Part II: Models of Establishment
Chapter Six: England: Restrained Establishment
Chapter Seven: Germany: Church-State Partnership
Chapter Eight: Conclusion: Church and State in Pluralistic Democracies
Selected Bibliography

Stephen V. Monsma is a senior research fellow at the Henry Institute, Calvin College, and professor of political science emeritus at Pepperdine University.