Beyond Separation and Establishment: State–Religion Relations and Inclusive Governance in Contemporary Democracies

State–religion relations in contemporary democracies are increasingly shaped by religious diversity, institutional pluralism, and the growing involvement of public authorities in regulating recognition, accommodation, participation, and access to public resources. However, existing studies often examine constitutional arrangements, administrative implementation, and democratic outcomes separately, leaving limited integration across these dimensions. This study examines how institutional arrangements and religious-policy practices shape substantive inclusion, the conditions under which recognition, accommodation, cooperation, and regulation support or constrain inclusive governance, and the role of participation and accountability in representing religious and nonreligious constituencies. Using a qualitative comparative conceptual analysis, the study synthesizes peer-reviewed scholarship and comparative secondary evidence through theory-guided thematic comparison and comparative conceptual synthesis. The analysis focuses on institutional arrangements, governance processes, and democratic outcomes. The findings show that formal guarantees of equality and religious freedom provide an important institutional foundation but do not ensure substantive inclusion. Administrative interpretation, organizational routines, local political conditions, and participatory arrangements influence how formal rules are implemented. Recognition and accommodation may expand institutional access while also raising questions concerning individual autonomy, representation, and equal protection. Democratic outcomes vary across equality, non-discrimination, political voice, access to resources, institutional confidence, and social trust. The study concludes that inclusive state–religion governance depends on the alignment of institutional protection, consistent implementation, representative participation, rights safeguards, and accountable public administration rather than on any single model of state–religion relations.