The Geopolitics of Religious Soft Power: How States Use Religion in Foreign Policy

Governments use religion as a geopolitical tool to mobilize religious affinities, counteract ideological foes, and support incumbent regimes. This volume explores how states across regions and faith traditions incorporate religion in their foreign policy, featuring case studies from Brazil, China, India, Iran, Jordan, Indonesia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United States.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 27 November 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Religion plays a significant role in the international relations of numerous states worldwide. Governments employ various strategies to leverage religious affinities for public diplomacy, counter ideological opponents, or establish transnational networks of religious populism to support incumbent regimes. Recognizing the geopolitical value of religion, this volume examines how states across different regions and diverse faith traditions incorporate religion into their foreign policies.

The book is organized into chapters, each authored by a renowned expert who delves into the role of religion in the global engagement of a specific country. Featured countries include Brazil, China, India, Iran, Jordan, Indonesia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United States, along with states like Israel and the Holy See, which have unique relationships with religion. The case studies presented in the volume shed light on various cross-national patterns and continuities in the use of religion as a geopolitical tool.

The primary objective of this volume is to bridge gaps in scholarly knowledge by providing data and analysis that inform and shape scholarship, policymaking, and practice. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted role of religion in international relations and offer insights into its potential implications for the future.

Weight: 620g
Dimension: 163 x 243 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197605806