Berkley Center

Thirty years ago, Religion, The Missing Dimension of Statecraft, edited by Douglas Johnston and Cynthia Sampson, challenged conventional diplomacy by arguing that religious dynamics were essential but overlooked in international affairs. Published years before September 11, 2001, at a time when religion was largely absent from foreign policy discussions, the book received widespread recognition, with reviews in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Foreign Affairs. 

The book highlighted the rise of religion-infused conflicts and the need for faith-inspired peacemaking. Johnston summarized its core thesis: “The use of a religious rationale to justify conflict creates opportunities for spiritually motivated peacemakers.” He and other contributors contended that traditional diplomacy, focused on power politics and material interests, was ill-equipped to address identity-driven, values-laden conflicts. As Johnston observed, U.S. foreign policy practitioners often lacked the tools to engage in contexts where religion, politics, and economics were deeply intertwined.

Johnston went on to establish the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (ICRD) to integrate religious perspectives into international peacebuilding policy and practice.

The Berkley Forum asks: Thirty years later, has this missing dimension been found? Are today’s diplomats and policymakers better equipped to navigate the role of religion in global affairs?This series invites reflections on the legacy of Johnston and Sampson’s work, its impact on scholarship and policy, and the ongoing relevance of its arguments. 

Editor’s note: This series is co-sponsored by ICRD and will continue to be updated as additional submissions are received.