Abstract
This review essay explores the security–religion nexus by evaluating two
books contributing to the “restorative turn” in International Relations
(IR) theory and practice. While Securing the Sacred and Religion in the
Military Worldwide “bring religion back” into the realm of international
politics and security, I argue that the analytical purpose of the books is
problematic, given that both studies imply a normative logic to the security–
religion nexus. This is difficult for two reasons. First, it rests on an
assumption about the resurgence of religion in the world and the conduct
of research. Second, it furthers a powerful discourse in which religion
has a rightful place in an orderly society. I therefore provide a critical
contribution to the security–religion nexus by urging scholars of
religion and security to embrace their underlying normative positions.
books contributing to the “restorative turn” in International Relations
(IR) theory and practice. While Securing the Sacred and Religion in the
Military Worldwide “bring religion back” into the realm of international
politics and security, I argue that the analytical purpose of the books is
problematic, given that both studies imply a normative logic to the security–
religion nexus. This is difficult for two reasons. First, it rests on an
assumption about the resurgence of religion in the world and the conduct
of research. Second, it furthers a powerful discourse in which religion
has a rightful place in an orderly society. I therefore provide a critical
contribution to the security–religion nexus by urging scholars of
religion and security to embrace their underlying normative positions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 366-378 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | International Studies Review |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 7 May 2016 |
Keywords
- security–religion nexus, normativity
- Normativity
- securitisation
- critical