Are the secular foundations of international relations sustainable at present? This comprehensive study shows how the global resurgence of religion confronts international relations theory with a theoretical challenge comparable to that raised by the end of the Cold War or the emergence of globalization. The volume tries to shake the secular foundational myths of the discipline and outline the need for an expansion into religiously inspired spheres of thought. It also challenges the most condemning accusation against religion: the view that the politicization of religion is always a threat to security and inimical to the resolution of conflict. Finally, the task of demystifying religion is taken further with an argument for a stronger and "progressive" political engagement of the worldwide religious traditions in the contemporary globalized era.
Introduction; P.Hatzopoulos & F.Petito PART I: INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL THEORY AND RELIGION Taking Religious and Cultural Pluralism Seriously: The Global Resurgence of Religion and the Transformation of International Society; S.M.Thomas Dogma, Praxis, and Religious Perspectives on Multicultualism; C.Lynch Towards an International Political Theology; V.Kubálkova PART II: WAR, SECURITY, AND RELIGION Religion and Nationalism: The 'Sacred' Dimension of International Politics; A.D.Smith Does Religion Make a Difference? Theoretical Approaches to Impact of Faith on Political Conflict; A.Hasenclever & V.Rittberger In Defence of Religion: Sacred Objects for Securitization; C.Bagge Laustsen & O.Wæver PART III: POLITICIZING RELIGION: TOWARDS A NEW GLOBAL ETHOS? A Worldwide Religious Resurgence in an Era of Globalisation and Apocalyptic Terrorism; R.Falk A Global Spiritual Resurgence? On Christian and Islamic Spiritualities; F.Dallmayr Islam and the West: Muslim Voices of Dialogue; J.L.Esposito & J.O.Voll Epilogue; T.Nardin
