Conference.

Conference.

The Geopolitics of Religious Soft Power: How States Use Religion in Foreign Policy, 2020

Religion seems to feature prominently in the international relations of many states around the world today. Whether mobilizing religious affinities as a form of “soft power,” positioning religion as a force to counteract perceived ideological foes, or creating transnational networks of religious populism, governments clearly perceive geopolitical utility in the power of religion.   This conference will look comparatively at how states across multiple world regions and a diverse range of faith traditions incorporate religion as an aspect of their foreign policy. Leading experts from around the world will explore the role of religion in the global engagement of countries such as Brazil, China, India, Iran, Jordan, Morocco, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United States. States such as Israel and the Holy See, which by their nature have a unique relationship with religion, will also be considered. The various country case studies presented at the conference will illuminate cross-national patterns, continuities, and discontinuities in the role of religion as a geopolitical tool. Panels will feature responses from policymakers and foreign policy practitioners to highlight the practical implications of religion’s increasingly prominent role in world politics.   This event is organized by the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University and made possible by generous support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Henry Luce Foundation.

For more information on the event and program, see:    

» https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/events/the-geopolitics-of-religious-soft-power