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Religion and World Politics

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Around the world, religious actors and institutions have gained political influence, marshaling religious arguments to justify their activities. Moreover, religion has inspired a multitude of world events, ranging from horrific terrorist acts to altruistic responses to the refugee crisis. These resources consider how religious beliefs and actors influence political activity throughout societies.

Our Experts

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Judd Birdsall

Senior Fellow
Department of Theology and Religious Studies

Jocelyne Cesari headshot

Jocelyne Cesari

Senior Fellow

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David Hollenbach

Senior Fellow
Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Theology and Religious Studies

Project Spotlight

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The Geopolitics of Religious Soft Power

This project will explore the global impact of transnational religious propagation activities sponsored by several countries in the Middle East which for decades have deployed religion as a form of soft power in pursuit of their evolving foreign policy and other objectives.

Current and Past Projects

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Religion in China and the United States

From 2006 to 2018 the Religion in China and the United States project sought to promote dialogue, improve understanding, and inform better policy on key issues in U.S.-China relations, including religious freedom and the changing role of religion in world affairs.

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Events

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Publications

Policy Brief November 25, 2024

Combatting India’s Rising Extremism

This policy brief by Nilay Saiya contends that if India can recapture the pluralist vision of its founders, it can potentially combat the forces of extremism that have been on the rise for the better part of the twenty-first century.

Other Publications

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Blog Posts

Situating the Impact of Hindutva in Nepal

November 25, 2024

Situating the Impact of Hindutva in Nepal

Mohammed Sinan Siyech describes how new calls for a Nepalese monarchy interspersed with a Hindu right-wing ideology mirror the calls of India’s right-wing groups for a Hindu rashtra (state) and urges a closer look at the impact of India’s right-wing ideology on the Nepali political landscape.
Hindutva, Indian Foreign Policy, and the Israel-Palestine Conflict

November 25, 2024

Hindutva, Indian Foreign Policy, and the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Mohammed Sinan Siyech explores how India’s balancing act between Israel and Palestine since the war started has shed light on how India’s foreign policy has evolved, particularly against the backdrop of a right-wing government in power in both nations.

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Interviews

Discover the firsthand experiences of faith leaders, activists, and peacebuilding practitioners working on issues ranging from development and education to conflict resolution and foreign policy.

For over a decade, Berkley Center scholars and students have been conducting interviews with individuals working at the intersection of religion and world affairs. These discussions offer unique insights into the inner workings of a wide spectrum of professions touched by religion with interviewees ranging from the highest levels of leadership of international organizations to on-the-ground practitioners. Explore individual interviews here or follow links to our interview collections below:

Recent Interviews

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