Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Western nations have increasingly recognized religion as a consideration in domestic and foreign policy. In this empirical comparison of the securitization of Islam in Britain, France, and the United States, Robert M. Bosco argues that religion is a category of phenomena defined by the discourses and politics of both religious and state elites.

Despite significant theoretical distinctions between securitization on the domestic and the international levels, he finds that the outcome of addressing religion within the context of security hinges upon partnerships. Whereas states may harness the power of international allies, they cannot often find analogous domestic allies; therefore, states that attempt to securitize religion at home are more vulnerable to counterattack and more likely to abandon their efforts. Securing the Sacred makes a significant contribution to the fields of political theory, international relations, Islamic studies, and security/military studies.

Robert M. Bosco is Assistant Professor of International Studies at Centre College.

“Framing religion as a national security matter is perilous, as this short but well-argued volume demonstrates. . . Recommended.”
—Choice

“Invitingly and lucidly written, the text is accessibly to lay readers and academics alike and will provoke both audiences equally. Robert Bosco’s Securing the Sacred should appear on any syllabus covering religion and politics and is enthusiastically recommended for all scholars of religion and international affairs.”
—Critical Research on Religion

“Securing the Sacred provides a superb analysis of the post-9/11 interface between religion, national security, and scholarship in Western foreign policy discourse. This is a must read for students and scholars in security studies and the sociology of public policy.”
— Peter Mandaville, George Mason University