Religion and politics.New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of -- The events of Sept. 11, 2001, and conflicts around the world such as strife in the Balkans and the Middle East, have highlighted the need to study religion's impact on politics. Seemingly the cause of violence, religion can also play an important role in promoting peace. Two books of essays published in 2003 contrast the secular and the faith-based approach to politics and diplomacy: Faith-Based Diplomacy: Trumping Realpolitik realpolitik Politics based on practical objectives rather than on ideals. The word does not mean “real” in the English sense but rather connotes “things”—hence a politics of adaptation to things as they are. , edited by Douglas Johnston; and The Sacred and the Sovereign: Religion and International Politics, edited by John Carlson John Carlson (born June 3, 1959) is a popular American conservative talk radio host on KVI, a Seattle talk radio station owned by Fisher Communications. His show formerly aired during the afternoon drive time. and Erik Owens. One of the tasks of contemporary society is to identify in each religious tradition the strengths that will help build peace. In The Sacred and the Sovereign, writers point out that, in Western culture in the medieval period, religion unified politics under the authority of God. Emperor and pope acted as regents of God's sovereignty. The rise of the modern nation state in the 15th and 16th centuries weakened the unifying force of religion. However, supra-national organizations and globalization globalization Process by which the experience of everyday life, marked by the diffusion of commodities and ideas, is becoming standardized around the world. Factors that have contributed to globalization include increasingly sophisticated communications and transportation are beginning to challenge the authority of today's sovereign states <noinclude></noinclude>
Of particular interest is the impact this may have on religion. According to essayist Susanne Hoeber Rudolph, some states have promoted a universal religion or moral code in an attempt to unify highly diverse populations under one common set of values. Yet another essay discusses the need to be aware of the pitfalls of either turning God into a servant of the state or attributing Godlike god·like adj. Resembling or of the nature of a god or God; divine. god  like powers to the state (Zenit,
Feb. 28, 2004).
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