The Politics of Secularism in International Relations

The Politics of Secularism in International Relations examines how two distinct forms of secularism - laicism and Judeo-Christian secularism - have shaped modern international relations and global politics. Through analysis of historical developments and contemporary case studies, Hurd demonstrates the impact of these competing versions of secularism on foreign policy and international power dynamics. The book traces how laicism emerged from the European Enlightenment tradition of separating religion from politics, while Judeo-Christian secularism developed from the idea that modern secular society grows from religious roots. These frameworks are explored through examples including U.S. foreign policy, Turkey's relationship with the European Union, and Iran's position in international relations. Through detailed research and theoretical analysis, Hurd challenges conventional assumptions about the separation of religion and politics in international affairs. Her investigation reveals how secularism itself operates as a powerful force in shaping how states interact, make decisions, and construct their identities on the global stage. The work presents a significant contribution to understanding religion's ongoing role in world politics, suggesting that seemingly neutral secular principles carry their own cultural and historical biases that influence international relations in profound ways.

Readers note the book provides a detailed analysis of how Judeo-Christian secularism and laicist secularism influence international relations, particularly regarding Turkey and Iran. Liked: - Clear framework for understanding religion's role in foreign policy - In-depth historical context of secular traditions - Strong theoretical grounding supported by case studies - Balances academic rigor with readability Disliked: - Some sections are repetitive - Case studies focus narrowly on Turkey and Iran - Dense academic language in certain chapters - Could include more contemporary examples From review sites: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (23 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (8 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Offers fresh perspective on why Western secular assumptions complicate international diplomacy" - Academic reviewer "Important contribution to understanding religion in IR theory, but writing style can be challenging" - Graduate student review "Could benefit from examining more countries beyond Turkey and Iran" - Foreign Policy journal review

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🔹 The book challenges the common view that religion and politics are separate spheres, arguing that secularism itself operates as a powerful political force that shapes how we understand religion's role in international relations. 🔹 Elizabeth Shakman Hurd is a professor at Northwestern University who has written extensively about religion, politics, and law in international relations, contributing to a broader rethinking of how religious and secular forces interact globally. 🔹 The author identifies two distinct forms of secularism - "laicism" and "Judeo-Christian secularism" - that have significantly influenced modern international politics, particularly in how Western nations engage with Islamic countries. 🔹 The book examines how secular assumptions have affected major international events and policies, including Turkey's bid to join the European Union and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. 🔹 Published in 2008, this work helped establish a new framework for understanding religion in international relations, leading to increased academic attention on how seemingly neutral secular policies can actually reflect specific cultural and religious histories.