Modified Selectorate Theory and Domestic Religious Influences on International Relations: The Case of Turkey's Foreign Policy.

Why, despite repeated claims of a worldwide Islamic resurgence is there such variation in religion's influence on international relations? This paper argues that religion should be conceptualized as a type of domestic pressure characterized by religious standards and transnational influences. Its effects on foreign policy depend on the regime's dependence on religious actors for survival and the extent to which the transnational context focuses domestic contention on international affairs. The paper tests this with a case study of Turkish foreign policy, including both cross-time comparison and process-tracing of specific foreign policy decisions. It contributes to debates on religion and international relations as well as transitions in global governance, specifically the effects of transnational forces like religion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]