Executive Order 13769

Analysis: Social Conflict Theory + Trump's 'Muslim ban' doesn't just target eight countries. It's stocking hatred against Muslims in America by Michelle Chen

Conflict theory aids in understanding the intentions of Executive Order 13769, as well as the consequences of the order. First, as the president, Trump has the authority to control the government to protect his and the ruling class's interests. As demonstrated through the rise of anti-Muslim attacks, Trump’s Islamophobic rhetoric influenced the population to carry out the state’s work on their behalf (Oberschall, 1978). Chen highlights the dehumanizing, she writes, “Trump’s 'Muslim ban' is a shrill, incendiary dog whistle for both officials and everyday sympathizers casting Muslims as second-class citizens” (Chen, 2018). The treatment of Muslims as second-class citizens shows that Trump was successful in creating a divide and preventing solidarity between the working class. However, it is crucial to highlight that while Trump has a vast influence over individuals' ideology, they should not be easily influenced to carry out hate crimes against individuals. Despite some of the working-class individuals accepting the state’s rhetoric, there were nationwide protests to challenge the order (Chen, 2018). The protests portray the clash between the two social classes due to the working class resisting President Trump’s order. Moreover, a significant percentage of the anti-Muslim bias attacks were carried out by government agencies. The Customs and Border Patrol and the FBI were responsible for thirty-five percent of the incidents (Chen, 2018). Marx's theory of conflict explains how the government utilizes coercive forces to protect its interests (Collins, 1974).

Analysis: Durkheim's Theory of Religion + Muslim Ban Timeline

Durkheim's theory of religion helps us better understand the Muslim Ban timeline because Durkheim explained that religion creates social solidarity (Pal, 2006). In this instance, we are able to gather that there was a divide between religions, Muslim, and every other religion. The executive order ensured to solely single out seven predominantly Muslim countries. While understanding that Durkheim explained that religion held society together, it is important to consider that it did group religions together, those who are Non-Muslim. Using Durkheim's lens helps us understand how Executive Order 13769 was passed; those from other religions felt as if they were safe since they were left out of the order. Even if non-Muslims were opposed to the order, they had greater solidarity with those who were also not mentioned in the order. The Trump administration understands that it can harm a group as long as it is a group that does not have a strong allyship with others due to prior bigotry. Although the order did not mention the religion of Muslims, and solely countries, it is crucial to understand why it was given the name Muslim Ban by the media. The order essentially made it illegal for the majority of Muslim individuals to be able to travel to America. The lack of solidarity will enable President Trump to be able to create solidarity with other religious groups of religions to be able to protect the state's interests.

Most importantly, Durkheim's theory of religion explains civil religion. Civil religion illustrates society straying further away from religion to the beliefs of the institution. In this stance, those who praise President Trump's actions are praising nationalism. President Trump's actions are extreme, and his supporters wear red hats and wave the American flag, an instance of totemism. This has become a new marker for identity and formation for today’s society.

Lastly, in an instance where the legal was used to justify prejudice against a religion, it is crucial to consider how Durkheim declared, “There are no religions which are false."

Analysis: Weber's Theory of Religion + Chinese Exclusion Act to the Muslim Ban: An Immigration System Built on Systemic Racism

Weber's theory of religion helps us understand the article Chinese Exclusion Act to the Muslim Ban: An Immigration System Built on Systemic Racism, because Weber explains the relationship between capitalism and religion. In the article, Al-Khersan and Shahshahani declare, "Before the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, Chinese laborers were welcomed into the U.S. because they worked in especially harsh conditions for long hours and received low wages. As soon as Chinese laborers began to see economic success, however, exclusionary immigration policy followed, including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1883" (Al-Khersan and Shahshaham, 2022). Here, the writer explains that the state had to protect its economic interests and thus passed legislation to prevent immigrants from reaping any economic benefits despite their hard labor. Al-Khersan and Shahshahani also share that in the 1900s, multiple cases reached the Supreme Court due to Muslims not being allowed citizenship under the Naturalization Act of 1790 (Al-Khersan and Shahshahani, 2022). The Supreme Court had to determine who was white by law. non-Muslim Christian Middle Easterns were allowed to be categorized as white, they were given citizenship (Al-Khersan and Shahshahani, 2022). Here, the Court began to utilize religion as a factor for whiteness (Al-Khersan and Shahshahani, 2022). Weber explains how religion and capitalism can cause social change. Here, we examine how the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed by the state because they wanted to be in control of their assets, a feature of capitalism. Capitalism ensures that worker receives a limited amount of their means of production.

Both the Chinese Exclusion Act and Executive Order 13769 demonstrate how the United States of America utilizes legislation to justify racial discrimination (Al-Khersan and Shahshaham, 2022).

Yet, as understood through analyzing the historical context of both policies, the policies were protecting the interests of the state, rather than the American people.

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