04-15-2006, 05:35 AM
<b>Religion and Security: The New Nexus in International Relations.</b>
Book Review
Journal of Church and State; 9/22/2005; Leitich, Keith A.
While many books have addressed the role that religion plays in international relations, Religion & Security: The New Nexus in International Relations brings together an impressive collection of scholars and policy practitioners to examine the challenge brought forth by religious-based radicalism. Divided into four parts: (1) religious violence and religious repression; (2) religious pluralism and political stability; (3) religious influences on military intervention and post-conflict reconciliation; and (4) religious freedom and civil society--this small volume carefully lays out a template to reassess the realpolitik policies pursued by the United States, thoughtfully arguing for a re-examination of American foreign policy as our disregard for religious motivations has left the United States ill-equipped to deal with religious-based conflicts of the twenty-first century. In order to understand the underlying force, policymakers have to understand the intersection of religious ideology and group interests that threaten to undermine the international system.
The book begins with the editors' critique of current American foreign policy strategy and an argument for its reexamination. Contrary to the expectation that modernity would lead to a "third-wave" of democratization, the collapse of communism was accompanied by a resurgence of religious fundamentalism and religious nationalism. Globalization further challenged the Westphalien state system as sub-state actors used religious ideology and symbols to consolidate and mobilize their supporters. From Bosnia to Iraq, the rise of religious intolerance and the politicization of religion left the United States ill-prepared to face religiously-motivated communal violence as the failure of ideologies and institutions left a vacuum that religion easily filled.
In Section I, Otis skillfully makes the case for religion to become a salient component of diplomacy, arguing that as a result of the separation of church and state, the United States has neglected religion in its analysis of international relations, thus leaving the United States ill-equipped to deal with religiously inspired violence. Jenkins then analyzes the persecution of religious minorities and asserts that persecution creates an embittered minority receptive to religious violence. In Chapter 3, Seiple and White use Uzbekistan as a case study to illustrate how suppression of religious freedom may backfire and lead to religiously-motivated radicalism.
In Section II, Brauch explores the common positive nexus points within the Abrahamic faith tradition--Judaism, Christianity and Islam from a theological perspective. He chronicles the long history of mutual antagonism between the monotheistic traditions and argues that only when theologians of the differing Abrahamic faiths acknowledge their shared common ground in Scripture will peace and security be achieved. In chapter 5, Hall explores religious pluralism and security from a Christian perspective while bin Baker analyzes it from the Islamic tradition in chapter 6.
In Section III, Elshtain and Gopin explore faith-based responses to conflict. Elshtain examines the meaning of justice and the applicability of military intervention guided by the principle of "Equal Regard," and the use of jus in bello requirements to justify military intervention. Gopin comments on the plethora of literature on security and just war, notes that little attention has been given to the spiritual dimension of conflict resolution, and argues that spirituality is an essential component of peacemaking and reconciliation.
In Section IV, the final section of the book, Hasson, Saunders and Seiple address religious freedom and civil society. Hasson asserts that religious freedom and respect for differing religious values is the key for robust religious pluralism in civil society. In chapter 10, Saunders argues for a new, relational archetype capable of understanding the importance of civil society that balances religious freedom and security. In the concluding chapter, Seiple asserts that just as there is a correlation between liberal democracy and opposition, there is a correlation between security and religious freedom. In order for civil society to flourish, religious freedom must be guaranteed for all, not just the majoritarian religious community.
This timely volume addresses one of the salient themes of international relations today, religion and security, and will interest national security scholars and foreign policy practitioners alike.
Religion & Security: The New Nexus in International Relations is essential reading for those interested in religion and security.
KEITH A. LEITICH
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
COPYRIGHT 2005 J.M. Dawson Studies in Church and State
Book Review
Journal of Church and State; 9/22/2005; Leitich, Keith A.
While many books have addressed the role that religion plays in international relations, Religion & Security: The New Nexus in International Relations brings together an impressive collection of scholars and policy practitioners to examine the challenge brought forth by religious-based radicalism. Divided into four parts: (1) religious violence and religious repression; (2) religious pluralism and political stability; (3) religious influences on military intervention and post-conflict reconciliation; and (4) religious freedom and civil society--this small volume carefully lays out a template to reassess the realpolitik policies pursued by the United States, thoughtfully arguing for a re-examination of American foreign policy as our disregard for religious motivations has left the United States ill-equipped to deal with religious-based conflicts of the twenty-first century. In order to understand the underlying force, policymakers have to understand the intersection of religious ideology and group interests that threaten to undermine the international system.
The book begins with the editors' critique of current American foreign policy strategy and an argument for its reexamination. Contrary to the expectation that modernity would lead to a "third-wave" of democratization, the collapse of communism was accompanied by a resurgence of religious fundamentalism and religious nationalism. Globalization further challenged the Westphalien state system as sub-state actors used religious ideology and symbols to consolidate and mobilize their supporters. From Bosnia to Iraq, the rise of religious intolerance and the politicization of religion left the United States ill-prepared to face religiously-motivated communal violence as the failure of ideologies and institutions left a vacuum that religion easily filled.
In Section I, Otis skillfully makes the case for religion to become a salient component of diplomacy, arguing that as a result of the separation of church and state, the United States has neglected religion in its analysis of international relations, thus leaving the United States ill-equipped to deal with religiously inspired violence. Jenkins then analyzes the persecution of religious minorities and asserts that persecution creates an embittered minority receptive to religious violence. In Chapter 3, Seiple and White use Uzbekistan as a case study to illustrate how suppression of religious freedom may backfire and lead to religiously-motivated radicalism.
In Section II, Brauch explores the common positive nexus points within the Abrahamic faith tradition--Judaism, Christianity and Islam from a theological perspective. He chronicles the long history of mutual antagonism between the monotheistic traditions and argues that only when theologians of the differing Abrahamic faiths acknowledge their shared common ground in Scripture will peace and security be achieved. In chapter 5, Hall explores religious pluralism and security from a Christian perspective while bin Baker analyzes it from the Islamic tradition in chapter 6.
In Section III, Elshtain and Gopin explore faith-based responses to conflict. Elshtain examines the meaning of justice and the applicability of military intervention guided by the principle of "Equal Regard," and the use of jus in bello requirements to justify military intervention. Gopin comments on the plethora of literature on security and just war, notes that little attention has been given to the spiritual dimension of conflict resolution, and argues that spirituality is an essential component of peacemaking and reconciliation.
In Section IV, the final section of the book, Hasson, Saunders and Seiple address religious freedom and civil society. Hasson asserts that religious freedom and respect for differing religious values is the key for robust religious pluralism in civil society. In chapter 10, Saunders argues for a new, relational archetype capable of understanding the importance of civil society that balances religious freedom and security. In the concluding chapter, Seiple asserts that just as there is a correlation between liberal democracy and opposition, there is a correlation between security and religious freedom. In order for civil society to flourish, religious freedom must be guaranteed for all, not just the majoritarian religious community.
This timely volume addresses one of the salient themes of international relations today, religion and security, and will interest national security scholars and foreign policy practitioners alike.
Religion & Security: The New Nexus in International Relations is essential reading for those interested in religion and security.
KEITH A. LEITICH
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
COPYRIGHT 2005 J.M. Dawson Studies in Church and State