Secularization, Social Order, and World History

Kevin Flatt's book reframes secularization by introducing the concept of 'sacred social order' to describe systems that align social ordering with supra-human moral authority across civilizations.

Drawing on comparative historical cases—including medieval Islam, ancient India, and pre-Columbian societies—he argues the modern Western secular order is historically distinctive in attempting to ground social institutions on the human plane alone.

Flatt critiques conventional secularization studies for relying on a Western-derived category of 'religion' and for insufficiently accounting for power, state action, and intentional projects of secularization.

The book traces the emergence of secular orders beginning in the late eighteenth century and examines global responses, backlashes, and adaptations.

It offers a constructive theoretical alternative aimed at bridging disciplines and better explaining contested, uneven secularization processes worldwide.