Lie-Rinehart algebras, descent, and quantization

Abstract

A Lie-Rinehart algebra consists of a commutative algebra and a Lie algebra with additional structure which generalizes the mutual structure of interaction between the algebra of functions and the Lie algebra of smooth vector fields on a smooth manifold. Lie-Rinehart algebras provide the correct categorical language to solve the problem whether Kaehler quantization commutes with reduction which, in turn, may be seen as a descent problem.