Product Description: For theorists in search of a political theology that is more responsive to the challenges now facing Western democracies, this book tenders a new political economy anchored in a theory of value. The political theology of the future, Carl Raschke argues, must draw on a powerful, hidden impetus―the "force of God"―to frame a new value economy...read more

Product Description: Democracy may be the best form of government known to us so far, yet even its ardent supporters like Jeffrey Stout and Cornel West are critical of the contemporary Western democracies dominated by secularism and political liberalism...read more

Product Description: Democratic states must protect the liberty of citizens and must accommodate both religious liberty and cultural diversity. This democratic imperative is one reason for the increasing secularity of most modern democracies. Religious citizens, however, commonly see a secular state as unfriendly toward religion...read more

Product Description: The volume covers various aspects of world politics in which religion has been influential, especially since the end of the Cold War. Since that time, religious political parties have become more vocal and ethno-religious conflicts with worldwide ramifications have taken their place in foreign policy agendas of states...read more

Product Description: "A new liberal theory awaits, one that properly acknowledges the fundamental values and commitments of theocrats and liberals alike."―from The Liberal of ConscienceIn recent years, the battle between liberalism and theocracy has taken center stage around the globe...read more

Product Description: Challenging a widespread belief that religious people are politically intolerant, Marie Ann Eisenstein offers compelling evidence to the contrary. In this surprising and significant book, she thoroughly re-examines previous studies and presents new research to support her argument that there is, in fact, a positive correlation between religious belief and practice and political tolerance in the United States...read more

Product Description: A new exploration of the troubled relationship between religion and democracy, focusing in on two key questions: * how has religion engaged with the democratization processes that have taken place over the last thirty years?  * how can it contribute towards democracy in the future? These questions are tackled with clarity and rigour...read more

As early as the sixteenth century the liberal democratic state has been forced to confront the question of religion in politics. The result has been a tense and uncomfortable balancing act. Today, in the public square of liberal democracy, a number of religious confessions and beliefs compete for attention. In the American experience, some sense of religious pluralism and relative social harmony has been maintained. However, for this relationship to prevail, a tension must continue to exist―one that balances the political and social pursuits of self-interest with meeting the objectives of the common good. In Reaping the Whirlwind, John R. Pottenger shows how this process began in the modern world, and how societies attempt to manage this ongoing conflict. The first part of the book lays the groundwork of his analysis by using examples from history to demonstrate the genesis of political and religious "whirlwinds." It goes on to explore contemporary case studies, such as conflicts between Mormons and Evangelicals in the United States, liberation theology in Latin America, Islam and the state in Uzbekistan, and radical Christian reconstructionism. Pottenger believes that the formal institutions of liberal democracy should maintain this turbulence, even as religious activism threatens to upset the balance. He concludes by advocating religious liberty and recognizing the individual and social need for expression. At the same time, he maintains that the survival of liberal democracy requires that these religious traditions not dominate the public sphere.

Product Description: As recent elections in Iran and Iraq have shown, the increasing diversity of religious practices around the world may redefine democracy as we know it—leaving many of us to wonder just how compatible religion and democracy really are...read more

Product Description: This serves as a handbook to guide us through the thickets of the sacred, the secular, religion and politics, by charting the supernatural as a natural defining feature of religion. Santería is used as a case study to illustrate the similarities and differences among religious and political practices and discusses effective dispute management...read more