Original scientific paper

LAICITY: ETYMOLOGY AND HISTORY

Hrvoje Špehar orcid.org/0000-0001-7950-5471 ; Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The author aims to present the etymology and history of the laicity principle
as an important part of the political history of the West, particularly of France.
The laicity idea has a very important place in the context of church-state relations,
of separation of the two, and of their cooperation in certain areas (in
models of cooperation). Since the concepts of laicity, secularism, secularisation
and laicisation are often used in such a way as to make clear distinction
impossible, an outline of their fundamental distinctions and an elucidation of
possible ways of their use in political science seem to be fully justified. With
regard to their etymological origins (Greek, Latin and French sources), the
above-mentioned concepts are part of the common European tradition of establishing
relations between the church and the state, relying on foundations
which have demonstrated, in the course of history, their importance and various
political applications.

Keywords

laicity; laicisation; secularism; secularisation; clericalism; France

Hrčak ID:

71126

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/71126

Publication date:

21.6.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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