Secular republicanism

The Citizen

«One republic, one law, no privileges.»

Defends a republic of equal citizens, united and strictly secular: religion stays out of the public sphere, the state guarantees order and equal services everywhere, and newcomers must integrate into the republic's shared values.

In short

On the traditional scale, this ideology sits in the law-and-order center-right camp. The clearest positions are on religion: strongly towards “secularism”; devolution: strongly towards “centralism”; justice: fairly towards “tough on crime”; state: fairly towards “authority”. On economy and environment it stays balanced. Among the other ideologies, the closest is civic nationalism (92%).

Principles

Strict state secularism
Integration into the republic's shared values
A unitary state and equality before the law

Equal citizens in a unitary, strictly secular state, where newcomers integrate into shared values.

Common criticisms

Secularism against minoritiesCritics argue that bans such as the one on headscarves in schools mainly target Muslims.

CentralismA unitary state leaves little room for local autonomy and regional cultures.

Rigid integrationDemanding assimilation can make new citizens feel excluded.

Where it comes from

It grew out of the French Revolution and took hold under the Third Republic: Jules Ferry's school laws (1881-1882) and the 1905 separation of church and state.

Key figures: Georges Clemenceau, Jules Ferry

Further reading: What Is the Third Estate? — Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès; Treatise on Tolerance — Voltaire