• Jödicke Ansgar

• Jödicke Ansgar

More than three decades after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the post-Soviet region remains a dynamic arena where religion and geopolitics intersect in complex and often contested ways. This seminar explores the multifaceted roles of religion in geopolitics, such as border-crossing influence (soft power), and shaping regional and global alliances. The national role of religion (fusions with national identities, legitimizing of political power) often goes hand in hand with transnational relevance.

Through case studies from Russia, Ukraine, the South Caucasus, the Baltic states, and Central Asia, we will examine how religious institutions and discourses have been mobilized in geopolitical projects, both by states and non-state actors. Topics include the revival and transformation of religious traditions after state atheism, the instrumentalization of religion in nationalist and imperial narratives, and the role of religious diplomacy and soft power in international relations.

We will engage with theoretical frameworks from political science, religious studies, and international relations to critically assess the entanglement of belief, identity, and power. Special attention will be given to current developments, including the Russian Orthodox Church’s geopolitical role and religious dimensions of conflict in Ukraine.

The seminar is open to students from Religious Studies, Political Science, International Relations, and related fields.

Wird im Seminar bekannt gegeben.