Religion, Identity, and Global Governance : Ideas, Evidence, and Practice

In the wake of 9/11, and with ongoing wars and tensions in the Middle East, questioning contemporary connections between and among religion, identity, and global governance is an exercise that is both important and timely. This volume, edited by Patrick James, addresses essential themes in international relations today, asking how we can establish when religious identity is a relevant factor in explaining or understanding politics, when and how religion can be applied to advance positive, peace-oriented agendas in global governance, and how governments can reconsider their foreign and domestic policies in light of religious resurgence around the world. Exploring topics such as Pope John Paul II's Just War, the role of religious NGOs in relation to states, and religious extremism among Muslims in India, the contributors highlight the central role that religion can play in foreign policy. Taken together, these essays contend that global governance cannot and will not improve unless it can find a way to coexist with the powerful force of religion. Contents 5 Figures and Tables 7 Preface 9 Part One. Introduction 13 1. Religion, Identity, and Global Governance: Setting the Agenda 13 Part Two. Ideas 29 2. The Religious Challenge to International Relations Theory 29 3. Religion and International Affairs: The State of the Art 47 4. Mutual Renewal: On the Relationship of Human Rights to the Muslim World 67 Part Three. Evidence 91 5. State Religious Exclusivity and International Crises, 1990–2002 91 6. Religion, Identity, and the ‘War on Terror’: Insights from Religious Humanitarianism 118 7. Extremism and Military Intervention in South Asia: Indian Muslims and Sri Lankan Tamils 138 8. Religion, Security Dilemma, and Conflict: The Case of Iraq 169 9. World Religions and Local Identities: The Case of Islamic Arbitration in Ontario, Canada 197 Part Four. Practice 213 10. John Paul II and the ‘Just War’ Doctrine: ‘Make Peace through Justice and Forgiveness, Not War’ 213 11. Christian Mediation in International Conflicts 230 12. The Role of Religious NGOs in Shaping Foreign Policy: Western Middle Powers and Reform Internationalism 254 13. Religion and Canadian Diplomacy: Promoting Pluralism on the Global Stage 281 14. From Ideology to Identity: Building a Foundation for Communities of the Willing 302 Part Five. Conclusion 323 15. Religion, Identity, and Global Governance: What Have We Learned? 323 Contributors 335 Index 339 In the wake of 9/11, and with ongoing wars and tensions in the Middle East, questioning contemporary connections between and among religion, identity, and global governance is an exercise that is both important and timely. This volume, edited by Patrick James, addresses essential themes in international relations today, asking how we can establish when religious identity is a relevant factor in explaining or understanding politics, when and how religion can be applied to advance positive, peace-oriented agendas in global governance, and how governments can reconsider their foreign and domestic policies in light of religious resurgence around the world. Exploring topics such as Pope John Paul II's Just War, the role of religious NGOs in relation to states, and religious extremism among Muslims in India, the contributors highlight the central role that religion can play in foreign policy. Taken together, these essays contend that global governance cannot and will not improve unless it can find a way to coexist with the powerful force of religion