One of the big challenges posed by the arrival of Western modernity has been the role assigned in it to the religious. In this presentation I wish to discuss the relationship between religion and politics in dialogue with modernity during the l9th century in Chile, focusing on two problems: one, the political and ideological discussion posed by republicanism and liberalism on the origin and role of religion in the new reality unleashed by the separation of the religious and political authorities after Independence. Second, in the case of the debate over tolerance. But, first, I wish to discuss the question about the appropriate concepts to describe the process unchained with the republican option by the elites, forced by the abdication of the Spanish king in the hands of Napoleon.
Ana Stuven is Professor of History and Director of the Program of History of Political Ideas at the Diego Portales University and Pontifical Catholic University of Chile