Towards A New Christian Political Realism: The Amsterdam School of Philosophy and the Role of Religion in International Relations [Hardcover]

Towards A New Christian Political Realism presents a new theoretical approach to understanding the role of religion in international relations, considering the strengths of Christian realism, classical realism, and neorealism, as well as the literature about the relevance of religion for IR.

Simon Polinders?book is a significant illustration of the progress made in the analysis of religion and International? Relations over the last two decades. It does not simply state that religion matters but offers a theoretical framework to understand why and how it matters. It is a testimony of the promising advancement of the field of religion and politics.

Jocelyne Cesari, Professor of Religion and Politics, University of Birmingham, UK

Religion has long been downplayed or ignored in theories of international relations. Simon Polinder addresses this issue, providing a critical reconstruction of the views of theorists that advocate for more attention to religion. Focusing on two of the 'giants' of IR theory, Hans Morgenthau and Kenneth Waltz, Polinder assesses their ideas in relation to religion, identifying theological inspiration from St Augustine and Reinhold Niebuhr. Polinder offers an alternative theoretical approach - 'new Christian political realism' - inspired by 'the Amsterdam School of Philosophy'. Polinder's book is a 'must read' for anyone interested in a strangely neglected topic: the role of religion in international relations.

Jeffrey Haynes, Emeritus Professor of Politics, London Metropolitan University, UK

Scholars, for quite some time, have engaged the philosophy of social science in the study of international relations, and in the role of religion in international relations. This book furthers the debates in these areas in significant ways thr