The Influence of Faith: Religious Groups and U.S. Foreign Policy

(Paperback)

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Realists have long argued that the international system must be based on hard calculations of power and interest. But in recent years, religion's role on the international scene has grown. The Influence of Faith examines religion as a growing factor in world politics and U.S. foreign policy. Particular attention is placed on the American reaction to the persecution of Christians and Jews overseas, as well as the role of faith-based groups such as missionary and relief organizations in the formulation and implementation of U.S. policy. The Influence of Faith considers these timely issues from diverse points of view, offering broad historical analysis as well as concrete examples taken from current affairs.

Reviews

This is a very important book. The issue of the relation of religion to U.S. foreign policy has become increasingly salient. This book provides a masterful guide for anyone concerned with this issue. -- Peter Berger, Institute for the Study of Economic Culture
This is the most impressive collection on religion and politics I have ever encountered, sophisticated in several different dimensions. The essays by Leo Ribuffo on historical connections, Bryan Hehir on rival concepts of liberty, and Samuel Huntington on the salient importance of religion and religious prosecution todayeach one responded by an intelligent criticprovide only a third of the book. Among the rest, Habib Malik's brave essay on 'political Islam' (quite different from the religion of Islam) is especially arresting and informative, as is its rejoinder by Daniel Pipes. Each of the other essays adds another dimension. -- Michael Novak, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Human Rights Commission, 1994 Templeton laureate
An informative and insightful contribution that deserves wide attention. * First Things *
The Influence of Faith is uncannily appropriate to the situation the United States now faces in that date's [September 11, 2001] aftermath. It's a situation in which religion is not just one aspect among many in the nation's foreign policy, but, arguably, the country's single most important consideration. Adding weight to the book's gravitas is the fact that Abrams, who put together this collection of essays by leading political and religious thinkers while he was president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, has since become a special assistant to President George W. Bush. * The National Catholic Register *
In both their analytical and descriptive force, these nine essays make an important contribution to understanding 'the influence of faitht in the shaping of U.S. foreign policy. * International Bulletin of Mission Research *
The Influence of Faith underscores the importance of religion in international relationsboth as a part of the problem and as a key factor in finding solutions. These essays provide a much needed guide for exploring the relationship of faith to foreign policy. -- Richard J. Mouw, PhD, President Emeritus, Fuller Theological Seminary
Abrams offers a tightly organized collection of fine essays by a range of important scholars, which would make an excellent supplementary text in a foreign policy or religion and politics course. * Journal of Church and State *

Author Bio

Elliott Abrams is the president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center.