Politics and Religion: The Basics provides a concise introduction to the complex interactions between politics and religion in both domestic and international contexts.
Politics and Religion: The Basics provides a concise introduction to the complex interactions between politics and religion in both domestic and international contexts.
This book examines the role of religion in shaping political systems, behaviours and debates worldwide. By introducing some of the most prominent religions, it explores their impact on contemporary politics and sheds light on key topics such as religious nationalism, gender inequality, religious terrorism and the struggle for religious freedom. Using case studies from countries including Iran, the USA, France, China and Turkey, it highlights pivotal events such as Irans 1979 revolution and addresses modern controversies such as the rise of religious nationalism. Broader discussions on democratisation, globalisation and secularisation are integrated with theoretical insights and practical examples, offering a comprehensive overview of the field.
Aimed at undergraduate students in political science, international relations, and religious studies, this book is also a valuable resource for scholars. With its clear structure and real-world relevance, it provides an ideal starting point for understanding the dynamic relationship between politics and religion.
1 The basics Introduction; Politics and religion: Modernisation and
secularisation; What the book is about; Politics; Religion; World Religions:
Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism; The book:
Chapter by chapter; Conclusion 2 Domestic politics State and religion;
Political society; Civil society; Social capital; Conclusions; Questions 3
International politics Globalisation and religion; International politics and
religion; Post-secular international politics; Conclusion; Questions; 4
Contentious politics Contentious politics and religion; Democratisation and
democracy; Right-wing populism; Culture wars; Religious terrorism;
Conclusion; Questions 5 Gender and feminism Gender and politics; Gender,
power and ideology; Islamic feminism; Turkey and Islamic feminism; France and
Islamic feminism; Conclusion; Questions 6 Freedom and discrimination State
policies with respect to freedom of religion or belief; International
religious freedom after World War II; State discrimination against religious
minorities in the Middle East and North Africa; International discrimination
against women and sexual minorities; Discrimination against the non-religious
in sub-Saharan Africa; Conclusion; Questions 7 Nation and nationalism Secular
nationalism; Nationalism and religion; Nationalism and Confucianism;
Nationalism and Christianity; Nationalism and Islam; Conclusion; Questions; 8
Challenges and opportunities Politics, religion and security; Politics,
religion, governance and global order; Conclusion
Jeffrey Haynes is Emeritus Professor of Politics at London Metropolitan University, UK. His recent edited handbooks include: Religion and Political Parties (2019), Religion, Politics, and Ideology (2021), Religion and Politics, 3rd ed. (2023), Religion & Nationalism (2025) and Politics and Religion in Contemporary America (2025). Haynes has written extensively about politics in Ghana in Christian Nationalism and Democracy in Ghana (2025) and Revolution and Democracy in Ghana: The Politics of Jerry John Rawlings (2023). He has also written extensively about religion and politics in the USA, including two research monographs From Huntington to Trump: Thirty Years of the Clash of Civilizations (2019) and Trump and the Politics of Neo-Nationalism: The Christian Right and Secular Nationalism in America (2021).
