Religious Appeals in Power Politics

Religious Appeals in Power Politics explores how states use religious appeals to advance political strategies and objectives, highlighting the presence and power of calls for religious unity and the uncertainty and anxiety such appeals can create.

Format: Hardback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Religious Appeals in Power Politics delves into the intricate ways in which states employ or strive to employ confessional appeals to religious belief and conscience to further their political agendas and objectives. Through comprehensive case studies of the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, Peter S. Henne compellingly illustrates that, while religion may not garner the same level of attention or financial resources as economic sanctions or military threats, it remains a formidable tool in the realm of international relations.

In the realm of public policy analysis, religion tends to be downplayed, with a preference given to military or economic matters as the primary focal points of policy debate. However, as Henne astutely demonstrates, at pivotal moments in political history, states resort to faith-based appeals to either consolidate or fragment international coalitions. By examining the Saudi Arabia's 1960s rivalry with Egypt, the United States's post-9/11 leadership in the global war on terrorism, and the Russian Federation's contemporary expansionism, Henne highlights the prevalence and influence of calls for religious unity while simultaneously emphasizing the potential uncertainties and anxieties these appeals can generate.

Religious Appeals in Power Politics serves as a bold challenge to those who view religion as merely incidental to military or economic power. It underscores the significance of religion as a driving force in shaping global politics and highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of its role in shaping international relations. This insightful book offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between religion, power, and politics, and is a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of contemporary international relations.

Weight: 907g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501770500