At the turn of the 21st century, the global resurgence of religion is posing a direct challenge to a Westphalian international system which upholds secular politics as the most peaceful, stable, and universal foundation for international relations. It is thus important to interrogate the secular dimension of the contemporary political foundation as well as the beliefs and assumptions that shape IRs historical foresight so that international dialogue may be facilitated. Through the reconsideration of the secularisation process, I demonstrate that the Westphalian secular order emerged through the usurpation, translation, and appropriation of important religious resources found within Christianity. Far from being universal or neutral, the current foundation of international politics has theological origins and a religious character to which it is oblivious. In turn, this implies that secularisms overconfidence in its own neutrality and objectivity may be a threat to the preservation of peace and security. In the name of value pluralism, IR must distance itself from its secularist history.

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Dr Ludwig Gelot is a Lecturer in Peace and Development at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and a contractor at the Peacekeeping Training Programme of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).