Values – Politics – Religion: The European Values Study

This open access book analyses the international data of the European Values Study (EVS 1990 - 2017), with a focus on the impact of religious on political values from empirical as well as theoretical perspectives, i.e. sociology, political and cultural studies, philosophy, ethics, theology and the law. It interprets results from interdisciplinary perspectives, including the viewpoints of social ethics, sociology and cultural studies, law and practical theology. In the political and public as well as media debates of the European Union, the recourse to (above all "European" and also "Christian") values has played a central and controversial role in the field of politics and religion for several decades. This collection is a contribution to a qualified discourse on values in Europe by providing empirical, hermeneutical and ethical criteria for a responsible use of the concept of values. In addition to a comparison of political value systems in Western and Eastern Europe and the possible role of religion in this context, the book also deals with topics such as, f.i., solidarity, economics and values, value formation, and law and values. Additionally, specific population groups such as the socio-culturally marginalized strata are examined more closely. Besides current scientific analyses and interpretations of interest to researchers from various disciplines, this book also offers valuable impulses and suggestions for various multipliers in political, civil society and religious organisations, as well as a sound overview for graduate students.

Regina Polak (* 1967) studied Catholic theology, philosophy, and spiritual theology in the interreligious dialogue at the Universities of Vienna and Salzburg (Austria). In her PhD she dealt with the issue of “The Return of Religion. Perspectives for Church and Society”. She is Associate Professor for Practical Theology. Currently she is the head of the Department of Practical Theology at the Faculty of Catholic Theology of the University of Vienna. She is member of the Research Center “Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society” and vice-head of the Research Network “Interdisciplinary Values Research”, both at the University of Vienna. In 2016 she was Visiting Professor at the University of Haifa. At the University of Vienna, she also is the head of the post-graduate course "Muslims in Europe". She published three monographies, 17 edited volumes and more than 300 articles in anthologies, academic and public journals. She is OSCE-Personal Representative for combating racism,xenophobia and discrimination and a member of the German Bishop´s Conference Commission on Migration. Her research focuses on religion in the context of migration; religion, politics and values; socio-religious transformation processes in Europe; Christian-Jewish and Christian-Islamic dialogue.

Patrick Rohs (* 1989) studied Catholic theology, psychology and religious studies in Vienna (Austria) and Trier (Germany). He currently works as a pre-doc assistant at the Department of Practical Theology at the Faculty of Catholic Theology of the University of Vienna. He is member of the Research Network “Interdisciplinary Values Research” at the University of Vienna. His dissertation deals with the topic of social cohesion and values education. In addition to values research, his research interests and research focus lie in the fields of psychology of religion and research methods.