UNIVERSALIZED –CLASSICAL- SECULARIZATION THEORY

40218

According to the theorists of classical secularization theory, the theory does not carry universal claim. Like Weber’s Protestant Ethic thesis, the theory is itself an attempt to explain a historically and geographically specific cluster of changes. The aim of this article is to indicate, in a clear departure from more well-known theorists like Steve Bruce and Bryan Wilson, that the theory is not only valid for European societies or their offshoots, but it can be universalized for every society at large. Therefore, to make the theory universal in its relevance, the old paradigm will be slightly revised. In attempting this, aspects of the old paradigm that belong to the history of Europe and its offshoots will be somewhat downplayed while those with more universal relevance will be highlighted.

103

Classical Secularization Theory , Scientific Advances , Capitalism , Urbanization , Secularization of NonEuropean Societies.

Mustafa Kemal University Journal Of Graduate School Of Social Sciences

120

Mustafa Kemal University Journal Of Graduate School Of Social Sciences