The origin of secular institutions: Ideas, timing, and organization: by H. Zeynep Bulutigil, New York, Oxford University Press, 2022, 258 pp., USD 99.00 (hardcover), USD 29.95 (paperback), ISBN: 978-0-19-759845-0.

"The Origin of Secular Institutions: Ideas, Timing, and Organization" by H. Zeynep Bulutigil explores the factors that contribute to the secularization of state institutions. The author argues that the circulation of Enlightenment literature and the emergence of secular reform movements are crucial in achieving successful secularization. Through a cross-national comparison of 89 countries, Bulutigil demonstrates the relationship between the dissemination of anti-clerical and secular ideas and the development of secular reform movements. The book makes theoretical, empirical, and methodological contributions to the study of religion and politics, state-formation, and political institutions. However, it is criticized for not thoroughly exploring alternative hypotheses and for its limited case selection. Overall, the book is an important addition to the study of religion and politics, emphasizing the influence of both religious and secular movements and ideas. [Extracted from the article]