{"product_id":"neoliberal-religion-faith-and-power-in-the-twenty-first-century","title":"Neoliberal Religion: Faith and Power in the Twenty-first Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Neoliberal Religion: Faith and Power in the Twenty-first Century the reviewer assesses a thoughtful exploration of how \u003cstrong\u003eneoliberalism\u003c\/strong\u003e reshapes religious life and public authority. Mathew Guest traces the reach of free market ideas into spheres usually thought protected from commerce, and his book is best for readers seeking a clear, historically informed account of how competition, consumer choice and managerial methods have altered faith institutions. The bottom line: this is a focused, analytical book for readers who want to understand the intersection of economics and religion rather than a devotional or polemical text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnalytical framing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Examines neoliberalism as a comprehensive account of contemporary society to explain changes in religious institutions and beliefs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e Draws on economics, sociology and religious studies to link market values with shifts in authority and practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on power:\u003c\/strong\u003e Considers how authoritarian leadership and gross inequality have been entangled with market ideas, offering a critical perspective.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContemporary relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Discusses the manipulation of information and consumer choice as forces affecting religion in the 21st century.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible prose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Written for educated general readers and academics who want clarity rather than dense specialist jargon.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConcise scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keeps a steady focus on the central question of what neoliberalism means for the status of religion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is well suited to students of religion, sociology and political theory, and to readers curious about how \u003cstrong\u003emarket values\u003c\/strong\u003e seep into cultural and institutional life. It serves as a bridge between academic analysis and informed public commentary, making it useful for seminar reading or informed lay readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose looking for practical guidance for faith communities, a how-to manual for institutional change, or a purely economic history should look elsewhere; the book is interpretive and critical rather than prescriptive or narrowly empirical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear explanation of the core concept of \u003cstrong\u003eneoliberalism\u003c\/strong\u003e and how it extends beyond economics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUseful interdisciplinary links that illuminate shifts in authority and institutional practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngaging critique of how consumer choice and competition affect religious identity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book is interpretive and does not offer detailed case studies or prescriptive solutions for communities seeking change.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeoliberal Religion: Faith and Power in the Twenty-first Century\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMathew Guest\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeoliberalism and religion, contemporary society\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntersection of market ideas with religious institutions and authority\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInterdisciplinary analysis drawing on sociology and political thought\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAudience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents, academics, informed general readers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeoliberal Religion is a concise, thoughtful account that successfully links \u003cstrong\u003eeconomic ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e to transformations in religious life. It is good value for readers who want a critical, readable framework for understanding contemporary faith and power, though those seeking detailed empirical casework or practical guidance will find its interpretive approach limiting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book academic or popular?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book sits between academic and public scholarship, using clear prose to present an analytical argument suitable for both students and general readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it cover global examples?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book treats neoliberalism as a broad social force and discusses its global influence conceptually, rather than serving as a comparative case study volume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it help religious leaders?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt offers critical insight into forces shaping institutions, but it does not provide step-by-step guidance for leaders seeking practical reform.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mathew Guest","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48236995117275,"sku":"1350116394","price":90.18,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/81McEWPDc5L._SL1500.jpg?v=1770828998","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/neoliberal-religion-faith-and-power-in-the-twenty-first-century","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}