Religion as a resource at the level of local politics. A study on the implementation of migration policies with religious references using the example of Frankfurt am Main

• Applicant: Dr. Errol Babacan
• Subject Area: Empirical Social Research ; Sociological Theory
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 509810922

Moving beyond the assessment of the valorization of religion in societies experiencing migration found in several previous studies, this project contributes to the multi-disciplinary debate on the significance of religion for the configuration of local societies and politics. On the basis of a new case study, this project aims to reassess the valorization thesis, which suggests that religious agents gain influence and formative power in local politics. We ask: what is the scope and validity of this argument that, with its introduction of the term “post-secular” cities, makes the bold claim that there has been an epochal turn in the evolution of civic societies? Is there a converse process of devalorization of the non-religious or that which is identified as secular and, if so, in which spheres of local politics? The exploration of this question will unfold as we reconstruct the history of the inclusion of religious agents into local politics and the contemporary configuration of this inclusion determined on the basis of our own empirical inquiries. The reassessment of the valorization thesis will be achieved through the operationalization of religion as a resource in the context of integration policies with a special focus on Muslim agents. This will enable us to identify the processes and relevant spheres of local politics through which religion transforms into a resource that mediates formative power.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants