Islam and Roman Catholicism as Transnational Political Phenomena: Notes for a Comparative Research Agenda

Abstract

In this paper, we offer some preliminary insights into a comparison of Islam and Roman Catholicism as transnational or “transcivilizational” political phenomena. We note that both traditions are monotheistic, offer universalist theologies, and have played important political roles both historically and in contemporary national and international politics. The comparison provides some additional insights into the role of ‘the sacred’ in politics at various levels, and presents the possibility of an intermediate level of analysis in comparative politics.

Keywords

• Islam
• Catholicism
• comparative politics
• church-state relations