Why read The Clash of Ideas in World Politics?

Book cover of The Clash of Ideas in World Politics: Transnational Networks, States, and Regime Change, 1510-2010

Book description

Some blame the violence and unrest in the Muslim world on Islam itself, arguing that the religion and its history is inherently bloody. Others blame the United States, arguing that American attempts to spread democracy by force have destabilized the region, and that these efforts are somehow radical or unique.…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Clash of Ideas in World Politics as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Peter S. Henne

Author

This is a “big picture” book, providing a grand sweep of international history to readers.

Owen argues world politics involves recurring ideological divides that lead states to forcefully intervene in others’ politics. He looks at Catholic-Protestant tensions in Europe, republican-monarchical conflicts in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the 20th century fight between democracy and totalitarianism.

He then argues the contemporary secular-Islamist division is another case of such a transnational divide, both highlighting the significance of this struggle and rejecting those who would argue there is something exceptionally disruptive about political Islam.

While my scope is much…

From Peter's list on religion’s messy impact on international relations.