Chapter 12 (FOUNDATIONS OF INTL. RELATIONS)

The significance of religion and culture in shaping International Relations is often underestimated.
Initially ignored by scholars due to secularisation theory, suggesting religion would decline in importance.
Historical perspectives: Western Europe experienced a decline in religion after 1648.
Globalisation was believed to merge cultural differences, refocusing IR scholarship elsewhere.
Events such as the Iranian Revolution, the fall of the Soviet Union, and 9/11 shifted this perspective, highlighting religion's impact.
This chapter separates and then intertwines religion and culture to explore their joint influence on identities.

Theory positing that science and reason diminish religion's relevance.
Assumed influences of religion would decrease in state affairs globally, particularly post-Cold War.
Diplomacy often avoided religious discussions, focusing instead on political, economic, and social issues.

Framework of Religious Belief
- Divided into fundamental and contextual forms.
- Importance of divine beings/forces in political order.
Religious Practices:
- Rituals serve as tangible expressions of intangible beliefs, affecting public life.
Dynamics of Power:
- Religion serves as an agent of power, influencing political orders across contexts.

Fundamental religious traditions view politics of governing society according to divine commands (e.g., Iran's Supreme Leader).
Contextual approaches adapt to societal diversity, influencing politics while not seeking total control (e.g., Aga Khan Development Network).
Religion and politics interact, impacting behavior in the public domain.

Culture defined simply as humanly constructed social elements shaping coexistence over generations.

Common/shared life:
- Cooperation often goes unnoticed amongst conflict narratives.
Symbols of identity:
- Constructs of identity through cultural artefacts (flags, clothing, architecture).
Debates about 'a good life':
- Culture reflects societal views on well-being and happiness, affecting policy and identity.

Geertz: Religion as a cultural system providing meaning through symbols and practices.
Interlinked approaches allow examination of overlapping elements of culture and religion in IR.
Huntington’s notion: post-Cold War politics defined by 'clashes of civilisations' increasingly oriented on cultural and religious lines.
Interaction includes examining conflicts and cooperative potentials.

Religious movements can serve both oppressive and liberating purposes (e.g., Bethel Church's intervention in the Tamrazyan case).
Cultural practices, like South Korean intelligence techniques, emphasize the role of cultural frames in strategic contexts.

Religion and culture are integral to understanding contemporary global issues.
Acknowledging religio-cultural identities enhances insights into cooperation and conflict in global politics.
A 'both/and' approach facilitates a nuanced understanding of their dual contributions to societal dynamics.