E-Book 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.
E-Book Content
Political Science of Religion Theorising the Political Role of Religion Maciej Potz
Political Science of Religion
Maciej Potz
Political Science of Religion Theorising the Political Role of Religion
Maciej Potz Faculty of International and Political Studies University of Łódź Łódź, Poland
ISBN 978-3-030-20168-5 ISBN 978-3-030-20169-2 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20169-2 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2020 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover illustration: Maram_shutterstock.com This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
For Sylwia and the girls, with love
Contents
Part I Reclaiming Religion for Political Science 1 1 Introduction: Why We Need Political Science of Religion 3 2 Political Science of Religion: Demarcating the Field 19
Part II Theocracies 61 3 Religious Legitimation of Power and the Concept of Theocracy 63 4 Theocracies as Political Systems 87
Part III Religion in Democracies 113 5 Here to Stay: The Role of Religion in Contemporary Politics115
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CONTENTS
6 Veto Players and Stakeholders: Religion in Polish and American Politics145 Index183
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. He obtained his Ph.D. in 2006 from the Silesian University in Katowice and his