Religion and Political Power

The use of religion as a pretext to consolidate power is a common feature of political regimes that lack widespread support or find their popularity waning. This practice has been seen throughout modern history in both Western and Eastern societies. Some of these efforts have been made overtly, but many have been made stealthily by interweaving political ideals within religious doctrine and vice versa.

Perhaps one of the more overt attempts at political consolidation through religious means was seen in Pakistan in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The regimes of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq exemplify the use of this tactic greatly. Both leaders tried to use the Islamic religion as a way of legitimizing executions, imprisonment and violence which, in turn, strengthened their rule due to the appeasement of largely Muslim populations.

A less overt attempt at political consolidation through religious means was, is, and will continue to be seen in America and consequently, throughout the world. The United States of America approaches both domestic and foreign policy with an inherent evangelical protestant slant and is further bolstered by the hijacking of “human rights,” which has essentially, become a pseudo religion in itself. My contention is that the American manipulation of religion is actually more dangerous to its people and the world because the exploitation is now two-fold. In this fashion, the Bush administration can satisfy and appeal to both the left and the right simultaneously while achieving the same goal – colonialism.

This paper will evidence these claims by in-depth exploration of the politics of Pakistan in the 70s and 80s and establishing parallels to modern American politics, in particular, the Administration of George W. Bush. Such parallels will include the Bush Administration’s use of religious symbols and rhetoric, particularly regarding the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through examination of both Pakistani leaders’ reign, the decay of democracy due to persecution and violence will be revealed, as will the tightening of political power by means of corruption. Conversely, it will be shown how America has chipped away democratic values by the introduction of the Patriot Act and the use of such rhetoric as the “Axis of Evil” so as to create a global atmosphere of “either you”re with us or against us’. This notion will be furthered with the use of Costas Douzinas’ concepts that western perceptions of human rights have morphed into a form of quasi-religion, which has successfully resulted in a merging of counterterrorism and humanitarian intervention agendas.