The veil provokes strong reactions across dissimilar liberal states

Evidence

Even though there are important differences between the political cultures of these three countries, it is striking that a mundane article of clothing has pro.. voked similar reactions among otherwise dissimilar liberal and would..be.- beral states. I would argue that the reason the veil elicits such strong responses is that 85 Among the institutions that characterize modern society, social theorists have defi the public sphere as a critical space in which citizens come together to articulate and debate a variety of moral and political concern (Calhoun 1 992; Habermas 1991; Warner 2002 ). — Saba Mahmood, Politics of Piety, 533

Categorization

• QUESTION: The author cuts off here — worth chasing the completed argument about why the veil specifically elicits such strong state responses.
• ADDENDUM: Directly substantiates the ‘Complaints About Immodesty Go Way Back’ thesis about dress as a focal point of state and moral regulation.