Religion and International Relations

International relations professionals - whether in academia, government, business, or the media - increasingly realise the importance of religion in helping to explain many contemporary international issues. The section proposal works from the assumption that traditional geographic schisms in world politics may be giving way to various sorts of conflict, some of which are based on religious issues. However, although it is often left out of international relations curricula in universities, it is widely agreed that the roles of religion in both exacerbating and resolving international conflict is an area that demands a sophisticated scholarly treatment. Many would also accept that religion has an important function in engendering and influencing values, which in turn can affect the formulation of underlying foreign policy considerations and policies of states. A third presumption is that we cannot hope to understand the role of religion in international relations, without relating it to what occurs in this regard within countries. In other words, to understand the contemporary roles of religion in international relations, we need to examine various kinds of interactions between domestic and international spheres. The overall aim of the section would be to develop a rigorous analysis of religion in international relations. In sum, the section would have four key aims in order to understand the contemporary roles of religion in international relations. Specifically, it would seek to examine: 1. The roles of religion in both exacerbating and resolving international conflicts. 2. How religion can affect the formulation of underlying foreign policy considerations and policies of states. 3. Interactions between domestic and international spheres 4. Various ways in which transnational religious actors can challenge and/or undermine state sovereignty PANELS The aim is to arrive at a number of panels that would focus upon various themes. These might include some or all of the following. Theory and Practice Issues 1. Theorising about religion in international relations This panel would examine how various approaches- including, but not restricted to, Realism, Liberal Internationalism, and Neo-Marxism - comprehend the role of religion in contemporary international relations. 2. Religious ‘fundamentalism’ The controversial notion of ‘religious fundamentalism’ is central to much concern about religion-orientated conflict in both domestic and international contexts. This panel would examine the concept of ‘religious fundamentalism’ and relate it to both domestic and international issues. 3. Religion, international conflict and international order The panel would examine the role of religion in international conflict over time. Not since the 30 Years War of the 17th century has religion been central to conflict in Western Europe; now, however, religion in increasingly associated with international conflict, for example, between certain Islamist groups - such as al-Qaeda - and the West. Analysts have claimed that an alleged global resurgence of religion is increasingly impacting upon international political outcomes, facilitated by the processes of globalisation and encouraged by the communications revolution. This panel would also examine the impact of religion upon international order both in the historical past and the present. 4. Who are we? Religion, Civilisation and Democratisation. Locating the public role of religion and the contribution of Samuel Huntington: in various works Huntington has attempted, generally controversially, to explore the public role of religion in promoting democratisation, conflict or social consensus. Ideally we would like to see a paper taking each of his recent works (Third Wave, Clash, Who are we?) as a starting point for exploring where he sees religion interacting with the political. 5. Transnational/national religions and transition in the former communistworld: Linz & Stepan have noted the particular role played by the Catholic Church's international dimension in stimulating resistance to communism in Eastern Europe, as opposed to the national character of the Orthodox churches which may have limited their potential contribution. This panel might explore the role of transnational religious activity in either the initial transition period or developments since then, for example looking at the role of the Vatican, religious NGOs, collaboration amongst Orthodox churches, international religious support for co-religionists in conflict situations, etc. 6. Religion and foreign policy The panel aims to assess the impact of religion on foreign policy formation and execution. The panel has three objectives:a) Analyse the role of religion in foreign policy b) Determine the key religious actors that can influence foreign policy, especially after the Cold War c) Assess the nature of the relationships between religious actors and the state in relation to foreign policy formation and execution. Case Studies 7. EuropeI - This is the only world region where the political influence of religion is said to have declined. However, we can note the importance of both Christian democracy in various European countries, as well as the growing social and political importance of Islam in the region. 8. Europe II 9. The Middle East - A panel on this theme might examine: (1) historical and contemporary international interactions between Islam and the West, and (2) contemporary Islamist ‘terrorist’ organisations and their potential to undermine state sovereignty. Papers could also be presented on, for example, the political significance of ‘Jewish fundamentalism’ both in Israel and elsewhere, eg, the United States. 10. Summary and conclusions