Political Science of Religion

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

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2. Reclaiming Religion for Political Science

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Introduction: Why We Need Political Science of Religion

      • Maciej Potz

      Pages 3-17

   3. Political Science of Religion: Demarcating the Field

      • Maciej Potz

      Pages 19-60

3. Theocracies

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 61-61

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   2. Religious Legitimation of Power and the Concept of Theocracy

      • Maciej Potz

      Pages 63-85

   3. Theocracies as Political Systems

      • Maciej Potz

      Pages 87-112

4. Religion in Democracies

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 113-113

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   2. Here to Stay: The Role of Religion in Contemporary Politics

      • Maciej Potz

      Pages 115-144

   3. Veto Players and Stakeholders: Religion in Polish and American Politics

      • Maciej Potz

      Pages 145-181

5. Back Matter

   Pages 183-187

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This book introduces political science of religion – a coherent approach to the study of the political role of religion grounded in political science. In this framework, religion is viewed as a political ideology providing legitimation for power and motivating political attitudes and behaviors of the public. Religious organizations are political actors negotiating the political system in the pursuit of their faith-based objectives. Religion is thus interpreted as a power resource and religious groups as political players. The theoretical framework developed in the first part is applied to the study of theocracies and contemporary democracies, based on the case studies of Poland and the USA. The empirical analysis of resources, strategies and opportunities of religious actors demonstrates their ability to influence the politics of democracies and non-democracies alike. Using a multilevel approach, the book seeks to explain this tremendous political potential of religion.

• church-state relations
• normativism
• political science of religion
• religion and politics
• religious political actors
• social movements theory (SMT) approach
• cultural approach
• legitimation of power
• sacralisation of power
• social exchange theory
• theocracy
• succession procedures
• institutional regimes
• political control
• extremism
• religious conflict
• secularization
• American religion
• Polish Catholic Church
• veto player

“Without doubt, the studies on political science of religion in the field of political science are vital both on the theoretical level, as they provide new knowledge, and on the practical level, as the foundation for practical measures and legislation. This is an interdisciplinary study that analyzes different aspects of political science of religion. The author should therefore be commended for examining such a complex research problem.” (Maria Marczewska-Rytko, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Poland)

• Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland

  Maciej Potz

Maciej Potz is a full professor of Political Science at the Department of Political Systems, Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Łódź, Poland. His research focuses on political theory and political science of religion. As a Foundation for Polish Science scholar he did research on Shaker and Mormon theocracies in the USA. His publications include monographs on the relations between religion and the state in the USA and on American theocracies, as well as several articles, including in Religion, State and Society, Journal of Political Power, Politics and Religion Journal.

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