Chapter 12 (FOUNDATIONS OF INTL. RELATIONS)

Chapter 12 (FOUNDATIONS OF INTL. RELATIONS)

Introduction to Religion and Culture in International 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.

Key Terms

Secularisation Theory

• 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.

Elements of Religion

1. Framework of Religious Belief

   • Divided into fundamental and contextual forms.

   • Importance of divine beings/forces in political order.

2. Religious Practices:

   • Rituals serve as tangible expressions of intangible beliefs, affecting public life.

3. Dynamics of Power:

   • Religion serves as an agent of power, influencing political orders across contexts.

The Role of Religion in Politics

• 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.

Understanding Elements of Culture

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

Three Elements of Culture

1. Common/shared life:

   • Cooperation often goes unnoticed amongst conflict narratives.

2. Symbols of identity:

   • Constructs of identity through cultural artefacts (flags, clothing, architecture).

3. Debates about 'a good life':

   • Culture reflects societal views on well-being and happiness, affecting policy and identity.

Interrelations of Religion and Culture

• 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.

Case Studies and Applications

• 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.

Conclusion

• 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.