Islam, national identity and social cohesion: the case of Morocco

Abstract

Why does the secularisation theory, which argues that religion ceases to be significant in societies that have undertaken a process of modernization and democratization, fail to explain why religion remains predominant or even gains salience in some states despite a modernization and industrialization process? This thesis takes Morocco as a case study to provide a theoretical explanation: countries where religion defines national identity and is perceived as a guarantee for social and cultural cohesion, are unlikely to secularize.Why does the secularisation theory, which argues that religion ceases to be significant in societies that have undertaken a process of modernization and democratization, fail to explain why religion remains predominant or even gains salience in some states despite a modernization and industrialization process? This thesis takes Morocco as a case study to provide a theoretical explanation: countries where religion defines national identity and is perceived as a guarantee for social and cultural cohesion, are unlikely to secularize.LUISS PhD Thesi