ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to weave a theory for the function of religion in generating ad bellum outcomes, from existing theories. The oldest theory of international relations, today styled Classical Realism, posits that war ensues because states crave power and fear the intentions of other states, which also crave power. Today’s state system is considerably more institutionalized than it was a century ago. While the causes of the formation of institutions are largely materialist, the institutions themselves take a variety of forms that are not necessarily concrete. In the Constructivist paradigm of international relations (IR), states are viewed in terms of their relationships not with the structural configuration of power, but with the structure of norms and possibly identities as well. Realism is inherently self-regarding and in realist IR theories, states are quick to use force if doing so is expected confer a benefit to itself.
