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.

Maciej Potz is a full professor of Political Science at the Department of Political Systems, Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lódz, 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.

Autorentext
Maciej Potz is a full professor of Political Science at the Department of Political Systems, Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of ód, 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.

Klappentext
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.

Maciej Potz is a full professor of Political Science at the Department of Political Systems, Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of ód, 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.

Inhalt
PART I. RECLAIMING RELIGION FOR POLITICAL SCIENCE
Chapter 1. Introduction: why we need political science of religion 1.1. The dominant approaches1.2. Why are these approaches dysfunctional for political science?1.3. Conclusion
Chapter 2. Political science of religion: demarcating the field 2.1. The principles of political science of religion2.2. Religion as a subject of political science2.3. Religious groups as political actors2.4. Theoretical perspectives2.5. Conclusion

PART II. THEOCRACIES
Chapter 3. Religious legitimation of power and the concept of theocracy3.1. The legitimation of power3.2. A legitimation-based concept of theocracy3.3. Origins and stability of theocratic regimes3.4. Sacralisation of power3.5. The function of religious doctrines3.6. Conclusion
Chapter 4. Theocracies as political systems 4.1. Succession procedures4.2. Institutional regime4.3. Mechanisms of political control4.4. Conclusion

PART III. RELIGION IN DEMOCRACIES
Chapter 5. Here to stay: the role of religion in contemporary politics5.1. The changing position of religion. 5.2. Against the odds: the survival of religion in democratic politics.5.3. The special status of religion.5.4. Political strategies of religious actors 5.5. Religion and political conflict. 5.6. Conclusion.
Chapter 6. Veto players and stakeholders: religion in Polish and American politics6.1. Two models of religion-inspired political action: the conceptualization 6.2. Poland since 1989: Catholic Church as a veto player6.3 American churches as political stakeholders6.4. ConclusionEpilogue