Towards a Postsecular International Politics / Culture and Religion in International Relations (PDF)

Luca Mavelli is Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Kent, UK.

Fabio Petito is Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Sussex, UK.

"This is a timely and most welcome collection of essays that explores the implications of the thesis of a postsecular world order. Challenging the dominant Western narrative of progress and secularism, the volume examines how traditional forms of community, identity, and power are being re-configured by religious ideas. Striking a happy balance between theoretical expositions and in-depth case studies, this fascinating and analytically sophisticated analysis will be valuable to IR scholars, political and social theorists, and members of the attentive public who realize that the contemporary challenges require a new thinking 'outside of the box.'' - Friedrich Kratochwil, Emeritus Professor, European University Institute, Florence, Italy

"The belated entry of postsecular perspectives in contemporary international relations is a welcome development to which this volume makes a valuable contribution. This book shows how postsecular discourse can be productively harnessed to deepen theoretical inquiry, the study of national and international contexts, and the role of non-state actors. In this sophisticated collection of essays, we see more clearly often neglected but important features of an elusive and rapidly changing international landscape and we gain a firmer grasp of the daunting normative challenges posed by an emerging postsecular future." - Joseph A. Camilleri, Emeritus Professor, La Trobe University, Australia

"A welcome contribution to the growing interplay between political theory and international relations. Written by leading experts and drawing on recent discussions about 'postsecularity,' the volume contests and rethinks the traditional bifurcation between reason and faith, religion and politics, and questions the modern Westphalian paradigm focused on interacting secular states, thereby opening the path to a new 'multicultural international society' where different cultural and religious traditions are respected and brought into