Political Science of Religion: Theorising the Political Role of Religion

by Maciej Potz

Overview

This book introduces political science of religion – a coherent approach to the study of the political role of religion grounded in political science. In this framework, religion is viewed as a political ideology providing legitimation for power and motivating political attitudes and behaviors of the public. Religious organizations are political actors negotiating the political system in the pursuit of their faith-based objectives. Religion is thus interpreted as a power resource and religious groups as political players. The theoretical framework developed in the first part is applied to the study of theocracies and contemporary democracies, based on the case studies of Poland and the USA. The empirical analysis of resources, strategies and opportunities of religious actors demonstrates their ability to influence the politics of democracies and non-democracies alike. Using a multilevel approach, the book seeks to explain this tremendous political potential of religion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030201692
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan
Publication date:	08/14/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	661 KB

About the Author

Maciej Potz is a full professor of Political Science at the Department of Political Systems, Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Łódź, Poland. His research focuses on political theory and political science of religion. As a Foundation for Polish Science scholar he did research on Shaker and Mormon theocracies in the USA. His publications include monographs on the relations between religion and the state in the USA and on American theocracies, as well as several articles, including in Religion, State and Society, Journal of Political Power, Politics and Religion Journal.

Table of Contents

PART I. Reclaiming Religion for Political Science.- Chapter 1 Introduction: Why we need political science of religion.- Chapter 2 Political Science of Religion: Demarcating the field.- PART II. Theocracies.- Chapter 3 Religious Legitimation of Power and the Concept of Theocracy.- Chapter 4 Theocracies as Political Systems.- PART III. Religion in Democracies.- Chapter 5 Here to Stay: The role of religion in contemporary politics.- Chapter 6 Veto Players and Stakeholders: Religion in Polish and American politics.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Without doubt, the studies on political science of religion in the field of political science are vital both on the theoretical level, as they provide new knowledge, and on the practical level, as the foundation for practical measures and legislation. This is an interdisciplinary study that analyzes different aspects of political science of religion. The author should therefore be commended for examining such a complex research problem.” (Maria Marczewska-Rytko, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Poland)