Much of the formal structure of the UK state remains locked in the geopolitics of the late 17th century. The sovereign has to be a Christian monarch in communion with the Church of England, swearing oaths to support that Church and the Church of Scotland. No-one may succeed to the throne who is either a Roman Catholic or married to one. Whereas in Scotland the established Church is held distinct from the state, the Church of England remains controlled by parliament where twenty-six Anglican bishops sit as of right in the House of Lords – a privilege unknown in any other sovereign legislature.

This book argues that, in an increasingly pluralized society, the gap between form and reality has become unacceptably stretched. Disregarding facile arguments about disestablishment, the book analyses the present position afresh and examines what are the options for change, including to the religious character of the monarchy.

More:

• Change and Decay since 1953, book review by David Martin in the Church Times 05.06.09
• Review in The Tablet, 22.05.09
• Review in The Daily Telegraph, 19.05.09
• How to order the book at a discount
• Launch seminar
• Read the introduction as a sample on the Palgrave website
• Project website

Table of Contents

Introduction: Mapping the Issues; R.M.Morris

PART I: ESTABLISHMENT IN GREAT BRITAIN NOW

• Establishment in England: Main Developments since 1800; R.M.Morris
• Monarchy and Legislature; R.M.Morris
• Executive, Judiciary and the Legatine Powers; R.M.Morris
• Financing Establishment in England; R.M.Morris
• Establishment in Scotland; R.M.Morris
• Recent Developments in Church-State Relations in Scotland; M.MacLean, F.Cranmer & S.Peterson

PART II: DISESTABLISHMENTS

• Ireland and Wales; J.Lucas & R.M.Morris
• Church/State Relations in Scandinavia; F.Cranmer

PART III: POLICY ANALYSIS

• The Condition of Modern Belief; R.M.Morris
• Establishment: The State of Opinion; R.M.Morris

PART IV: ESTABLISHMENT FUTURES

• The Higher Architecture; R.M.Morris
• The Political Representation of Religion; R.M.Morris
• Towards a New Balance; R.M.Morris