Prominent political theorist Ira Sharkansky looks at the intersection of religion and politics, using the case of Israel-where a chief rabbi officiates along with a prime minister-to examine how the two inform each other. Focusing more on similarities than differences, Sharkansky demonstrates that both religion and politics can justify their position on the moral high ground. Both are involved in shaping our values and standard of living; however, neither religion nor politics can claim a monopoly of virtue: Political demagogues have their religious equivalents in self-serving prophets and false messiahs, and politicians and religious leaders both may violate the morality that they preach. Sharkansky examines the place of intellectual certainty, doubt, charisma, and passion in both realms. He argues that Israel, among other Western democracies where politics and religion intersect, supports a successful fusion of the two.

Book Information
ISBN 9780739101094
Author Ira Sharkansky
Format Hardback
Page Count 176
Imprint Lexington Books
Publisher Lexington Books
Weight(grams) 381g