Conflict, Politics, and the Christian East: Assessing Contemporary Developments

This book explores the roles of Christian communities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in politics, highlighting their political activity and responses to local ideas of citizenship. It emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive understanding of religions role in politics in the region.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 106 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book offers a vital and groundbreaking perspective on the intricate relationship between religion and politics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. By specifically focusing on the roles played by Christian communities within this complex terrain, it makes a significant contribution to the existing literature, which predominantly concentrates on Islam. Through a comprehensive collection of country case studies employing a diverse range of analytical methods, the contributors to this volume showcase how various Christian groups operate as rational, strategic political actors, driven by the desire to safeguard and advance the interests of their organizations and members. The cases examined herein delve into the complexities of Christians' minority status in the MENA region and their responses to local notions of citizenship that often relegate them to inferior positions. Moreover, the chapters explore how MENA Churches leverage transnational networks to enhance their local political influence. This volume stands as a crucial resource for gaining a deeper understanding of contemporary politics in the MENA region, and it further advances our understanding of the multifaceted role of religion in politics more broadly. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the esteemed journal "Religion, State and Society."

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032077949