Religion and Politics in America: Faith, Culture, and Strategic Choices - Softcover

Fowler, Robert Booth; Hertzke, Allen D.; Olson, Laura R.; Den Dulk, Kevin R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0813344360 ISBN 13: 9780813344362

Publisher: Westview Press, 2010

Synopsis

Religion and politics are never far from the headlines, but their relationship remains complex and often confusing. Religion and Politics in America offers a lively, accessible, and balanced treatment of religion in American politics. The authors explore the historical, cultural, and legal contexts that underlie religious political engagement while also highlighting the pragmatic and strategic political realities that religious organizations and people face today. Incorporating up-to-date scholarship and analysis of voting behavior through the 2008 elections, the fourth edition assesses the politics of conventional and not-so-conventional American religious movements. Features include contemporary case studies, useful focus-study boxes, and timely discussions of Islam, Latinos, international affairs, and political culture.

About this title

About the Author:

Robert Booth Fowler is professor emeritus of political science at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. An award-winning teacher, he is the author of numerous books, including Enduring Liberalism: American Political Thought since the 1960s, The Dance with Community, and Wisconsin Votes.

Allen D. Hertzke is Presidential Professor of Political Science at the University of Oklahoma. He is the author of several books on religion and politics, most recently Freeing God’s Children: The Unlikely Alliance for Global Human Rights.

Laura R. Olson is professor of political science at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. She is author, coauthor, or coeditor of nine books, including Religious Interests in Community Conflict and Christian Clergy in American Politics.

Kevin R. den Dulk is associate professor of political science and Honors Faculty Fellow at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. He is the coauthor of Pews, Prayers, and Participation and The God Gap?: Religion in the 2008 Election.

Review:

Praise for previous editions:

"This thoughtful new edition closely tracks the current salience of religion to the political system, while carefully placing these developments in historical and theoretical context. It will promote discussion of the key issues in the field in both introductory and upper level courses—a real achievement." — Paul A. Djupe, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Denison University

"Carefully re-organized and updated, the new edition builds on the impressive 2nd edition. Fresh insights abound in this accessible text." — Clarke E. Cochran, Texas Tech University

"Religion and Politics in America is an invaluable primer on this increasing important topic. Well-written, well-researched and up-to-date, it combines a broad vision of the role of faith in American public life with sensitivity to the nuances of religious communities." — John Green, Director, Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, University of Akron

"This outstanding book is must reading for anyone interested in religion and politics in the United States. The authors provide a current, comprehensive, and accessible examination of an exceedingly important subject." — James M. Penning, Professor of Political Science, Calvin College

About this edition

• Publisher: Westview Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0813344360
• ISBN 13: 9780813344362
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 384