Papers by Mona K A N W A L Sheikh
This is the accepted version of a paper published in Brent Steele and Eric Heinze (eds.) Routledg... more This is the accepted version of a paper published in Brent Steele and Eric Heinze (eds.) Routledge Handbook of Ethics and International Relations. This paper has been peer-reviewed but does not include the final publisher proof-corrections or journal pagination. This study has been funded by Stiftelsen Riksbankens Jubileumsfond.
Oxford University Press eBooks, Mar 12, 2013
This chapter tries to illustrate that there has been a “sociotheological turn” in contemporary sc... more This chapter tries to illustrate that there has been a “sociotheological turn” in contemporary scholarship which encourages social scientists to take stock of the religious justifications for social action, and theologians and scholars of religious studies to be more aware of the social significance of spiritual ideas and practices. Sociotheology takes religious thinking and social context seriously. The approximation of the fields of psychology and theology and sociology as poles in the same discursive dynamics contributes to eroding a stonewall dichotomy between theology and the social sciences. Guidelines for sociotheological studies include demarcating an epistemic worldview, bracketing assumptions about the truth of a worldview, entering into an epistemic worldview, conducting informative conversations, identifying narrative structures, and locating social contexts. The revival of religion in world politics and the rising value of transnational religious movements have offered an analytic dispute that sociotheology has risen to meet.
Internasjonal Politikk, 2022
Artiklen ser naermere på de forhold, som er blevet beskrevet i analyser af interventionen i Afgha... more Artiklen ser naermere på de forhold, som er blevet beskrevet i analyser af interventionen i Afghanistan, der kan forklare den udvikling, som den amerikanske praesiden, Joe Biden, forsikrede ikke ville finde sted i 2021. Tre forhold står frem i tidligere analyser af årene, der gik, i Afghanistan. For det første, at der var løbende udfordringer med kapacitetsopbygningen. Udfordringer, der ligeledes løbende var blevet påpeget internationalt af analytikere, forskere og i krigens mange evalueringsrapporter og erfaringsopsamlinger. For det andet, at formålet med krigen fra de allieredes side skiftede karakter, som tiden gik. Fra at det faelles formål var lettere at få øje på i starten af krigen, så blev interventionsindsatserne til et formålstaet delta, hvor de involverede lande med skiftende regeringer balancerede hensyn til alliancer, en hjemlig vaelgerskare, nationale sikkerhedsinteresser og vaerdipolitiske rettighedsdagsordner. For det tredje, at Taleban gradvist-og ikke fra den ene dag til den anden-havde opbygget styrke og kontrol, og samtidig havde vaeret involveret i en politisk proces via deres repraesentationskontor i Doha, der var med til at bane vejen for deres overtagelse.
What connects China to the challenges of separatism in Balochistan? Why is India important when i... more What connects China to the challenges of separatism in Balochistan? Why is India important when it comes to water shortages in Pakistan? How does jihadism in Punjab and Sindh differ from religious militancy in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)? Why do Iran and Saudi Arabia matter for the challenges faced by Pakistan in Gilgit-Baltistan? These are some of the questions that are raised and discussed in the analytical contributions of this report. Overall, the present report aims to illuminate the regional context of Pakistan's challenges, the rivalry and alliances between powerful actors in South and Central Asia and Pakistan's place therein. The analytical contributions address the interplay between the macro and micro level conflicts which undermine the resilience of Pakistan. The rationale behind this perspective is that a comprehensive understanding of Pakistan's challenges requires a consideration of both these levels and, not least, of the dynamics between them.
Oxford University Press eBooks, Sep 22, 2016
Oxford University Press eBooks, Sep 22, 2016
In a global era, the challenge for worldview analysis is to embrace both a context-sensitive and ... more In a global era, the challenge for worldview analysis is to embrace both a context-sensitive and a culturally sensitive approach to concepts and ideas. This chapter identifies solid methods to analyze and comprehend the vertical dynamics between worldviews and action and also the horizontal dynamics between the precepts, imageries, and grievances that stem from transnational views of religion, politics, and society. The chapter reviews the most dominant definitions and applications of the worldview concept as it has been used in the study of global phenomena in the social sciences and how they differ from the way the concept of ideology is applied. This opens up a critical discussion of the link between worldview on one side and behavior on the other. By drawing on sociotheology, the chapter engages with the question of how to embrace context and culturally sensitive methods to study transnational worldviews.
Millennium: Journal of International Studies, Sep 1, 2014
This article deals with the definition of the religion sector of securitisation theory, and seeks... more This article deals with the definition of the religion sector of securitisation theory, and seeks to strengthen the contribution of securitisation theory to the study of religious violence and doctrinal conflicts. It is argued that the original elaboration of the security sector leans too heavily on a West-centric notion of religion as apolitical and of faith as a distinction between the sacred and the profane. These leanings limit the theory’s global applicability, consequently leading to a challengeable formula for the desecuritisation of conflicts with religious dimensions. Two alternative ways of integrating religion within a securitisation framework are suggested, one of which is based on a multidimensional concept of religion that embraces the different dimensions of religion defended by religio-political actors around the world. The second way focuses on doctrines in order to embrace equally the securitisation of doctrines conventionally designated as secular. It is also maintained that convincing reasons exist for treating religion/doctrine as a separate sector, despite the fact that religion appears to have cross-sectoral relevance. A religion/doctrine sector has strong defining characteristics that, in addition to the referent object(s), also include the criteria for survival and successful securitisation, the narrative structure of religious/doctrinal securitisations and the proclivity of religion/doctrine towards macrosecuritisation.
Negotiation Journal, Jun 1, 2022
This article lays out an argument for relocating worldview analysis from the margins of conflict ... more This article lays out an argument for relocating worldview analysis from the margins of conflict analysis to its center. While we may understand worldviews as an integral part of most escalated conflicts—which may seem to be about something else as well (e.g., energy, borders, economic grievances)—worldviews conflict can also be described as a particular form of conflict. This duality is important to recognize for the further development of the field of conflict analysis. The article also lays out the relevance of worldview analysis to conflict analysis, and how it can enhance our understanding of escalatory conflict dynamics.
Encyclopedia of Global Religion, May 21, 2014
Encyclopedia of Global Studies, Oct 5, 2012
Oxford University Press eBooks, Sep 22, 2016
Connections: The Quarterly Journal, 2017
This working paper is a translated chapter of the forthcoming book "Al-Qaeda vs. Islamic State" (... more This working paper is a translated chapter of the forthcoming book "Al-Qaeda vs. Islamic State" (edited by Manni Crone) that will be published in Danish by DIIS in the fall of 2016. DIIS Working Papers make DIIS researchers' and partners' work in progress. They may include documentation which is not necessarily published elsewhere. DIIS Working Papers are published under the responsibility of the author alone.
International Negotiation, Jul 10, 2020
Is religion the main reason why negotiations with Islamists fail? Contemporary international rela... more Is religion the main reason why negotiations with Islamists fail? Contemporary international relations literature views compromise over religious claims as being particularly difficult compared to other types of claims. Religious conflicts are understood as unique phenomena. Do religious factors explain why successful conflict resolution attempts with Islamists are more difficult to achieve than with other insurgent groups who pursue non-religious claims? This article examines the case of the Pakistani Taliban and the types of demands they have made during peace talks and in their communications. The role of religion is examined in this article and, specifically, theories of scarce resources, indivisibility and securitization are analyzed to explain the difficulties of negotiating with Islamists.
Oxford University Press eBooks, Sep 22, 2016
Routledge eBooks, Jul 24, 2019
Global perspectives, 2020
Oxford University Press eBooks, Sep 22, 2016
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Papers by Mona K A N W A L Sheikh