The Instrumentalization of Religion in Conflict

Author(s): Jean-Nicolas Bitter, Owen Frazer
Editor(s): Annabelle Vuille, Oliver Thränert
Series: CSS Policy Perspectives
Volume: 8
Issue: 5
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
Publication Year: 2020
Publication Place: Zurich

Peacebuilders and policy-makers often accuse political elites of exploiting religion in conflicts for the purpose of achieving political objectives. In this CSS Policy Perspective, Jean-Nicolas Bitter and Owen Frazer argue that diagnosing religion’s presence as ‘instrumentalization’ may be a barrier to conflict transformation. Even though instrumentalization does happen, third parties seeking to transform conflict and contribute to peace should suspend judgement about actors’ intentions and avoid using the term ‘instrumentalization.’ According to the authors, peacebuilders who accuse actors of instrumentalizing religion may struggle to engage with these actors. They also risk neglecting the genuine concerns of people who support the alleged ‘instrumentalizers.’ Rather than judging others’ use of religion, practitioners and policy-makers should focus on whether their own engagement with religious actors occurs in a respectful way, and is based on jointly agreed actions.

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