A review of: Douglas Johnston, ed., Faith-Based Diplomacy: Trumping Realpolitik (Oxford University Press, 2003). 270pp. $29.95. Johnston makes the case that effective statecraft must take religion seriously. The sidelining of religion in diplomatic calculations has been detrimental, especially in the last ten years. Johnston argues that realpolitik, and its simplistic notions of national
... [Show full abstract] interests, is inadequate. He presents insightful case studies that show religious tradition as both intertwined with violence and a source of peacebuilding and reconciliation. Furthermore, the underutilizing of religion as a resource against conflict ignores its transcendent power.