Religion has remerged as a political force in the world: expert

Religion has remerged as a political force in the world: expert TEHRAN, April 3 (MNA) – Sujata Ashwarya, an assistant professor of political science at National Islamic University in New Delhi, says religion has remerged “as a social and political force across the globe”. Sujata Ashwarya tells the Mehr News Agency that “all religions contain a set of principles that espouse peace, brotherhood, and harmony” which “can be utilized to foster internal cohesion within multi-religious countries as well as promoting understanding among countries of different denominational beliefs.” Following is the text of the interview: Q: What are the characteristics of superclass’s power in our times? A: Superclass enjoys immense power over world affairs, both political and economic. Those on the superclass list have transnational reach to influence events and they do so through manipulation of political and economic elites in different countries. In effect, they influence formulation of policies that benefit them and their enterprise. Their actions diminish democratic processes, reduce the agency of common man in society, and reduce politics to survival of the elites. The superclass is invariably super rich, has pedigree and belongs to the developed world, although the developing countries have their own narrow list. Q: Since the 1970s we have been witnessing a gradual decline of the U.S. hegemony in the international system. Which country or countries will emerge super or great powers in the future? A: The world for sometime in the future will be multi-polar, although the United States and China will jockey for pre-eminent power in international politics. Each regional will have a power pole or potential power pole. For instance, it would be India in South Asia, Egypt and Iran in West Asia, Brazil in Latin America, Indonesia in south-east Asia or South Africa on the African continent and so on. Contrary to the 'American declinism' thesis, I do not believe that American power is declining in any major way. What we see is a fraying of American power due to America's bad policies in West Asia and Afghanistan. The American power, in essence, derives from its strong core values, which enhances democracy, tolerates dissent and promotes justice. As long as America makes attempts to remain loyal to these values, American power will remain strong in world affairs. Q: Isn’t it necessary for a hegemonistic power to spend more on military to preserve its hegemony over the international system? A: A country becomes hegemonic not only because of its military strength but also because others are attracted by its vulture and values. This is called 'soft power'. While military prowess is important to project power in distant lands, it is the soft power that influence the hearts and minds of people and makes the country more 'likeable' than other in the international system. America is hegemonic not only because its military power is unmatchable but also because people of the world are attracted to its values: democracy, liberty, justice, modernity, etc. A hegemonic power typically projects a soft-image of itself; it believes in law and procedures and tries not to appear dominating. This does not discount the fact that a hegemonic power will tolerate encroachment on its sway, either military or cultural, and will tackle such situations with ferocity. Q: What is the role of religion in shaping constructive interaction among countries in the international system? A: There is a resurgence of religion as a social and political force across the globe in contemporary times. All religions contain a set of principles that espouse peace, brotherhood, and harmony. These can be utilized to foster internal cohesion within multi-religious countries as well as promoting understanding among countries of different denominational beliefs. It requires creative engagement by governments with religious communities both at home and abroad as well as recognizing their immense potential for creating a conciliatory international environment. While it is important to be aware of the fact that religion has produced violence in the form of civil war and terrorism, religion can be positively harnessed to influence people’s lives in a manner that enhances happiness and good, both individually and collectively. Q: Can common religious principles help reconcile hostile states? A: The transatlantic political and strategic partnership of Europe and America is in large part a product of shared Christian values. Even the ability of the European countries to give up war against one another in favor of collective economic and social advancement can be attributed to their Christian identity. These two examples go on to assert that religious principles have cemented ties among disparate states in the international system. In fact, all religions uphold the values of cooperation, mutuality and respect. When these are given prominence in the affairs of the state, religion becomes a tool for political and economic development. It even become compatible with what we understand as modernization. Q: How we can promote the role of religion in international system? A: Religion has become an intensely contested terrain in international system in our times. Much violence has been perpetrated in the name of religion in different parts of the world. However, as religion continues to influence thinking and behavior of human beings, it will shape how they imagine their own future and the future of their societies. Consequently, religion will play a significant role in shaping the contours of global politics in time to come. It is the task of every government to engage positively with all religious communities on the basis of mutual respect and draw on their common beliefs to formulate policies in the interest of all. Internationally, if inter-state relations are underscored by understanding and regard, we should be able to say that the best of religious values have triumphed. Sujata Ashwarya Cheema is an assistant professor of Centre for West Asian Studies in Jamia Millia Islamia. She is the author of “Civil Society” and “Democracy and State in West Asia”. (By Javad Heirannia)