Religion in Global Politics

Haynes analyses through nine different societal settings in which religion and politics are in dynamic relationship with each other. Haynes recognises cultural roots of each religious tradition, but keeps his eye mostly on contemporarily relevant political structures. Chapters are concise and geographical subject area changes so often that even readers who easily get bored should be able read the book through without having to resort to skipping pages. However, if you haven't got relatively wide knowledge of local politics around the world the book is by no means light reading -- for the very same reason why it is so interesting: All the time you get new information. Just when you have understood one political situation the chapter ends and we move to another, often very different kind of setting. Book's structure is luckily designed to make the information very accessible: it has good index and after each chapter there is a conclusion.For me, description of the political situation in Central Asian nations, which were formerly part of Soviet Union, was particularly interesting. Before reading this book I knew nothing of party political developments in that area. I would recommend the book for both those interested in global politics and those who would like to learn about certain area's political atmosphere. Nothing to blow your mind, but lots of useful information and insights.