Decrypting Political Theology

Name: Decrypting Political Theology
Price: 160 AUD
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ISBN: 9781666978650

Genealogy, Tendencies, Antagonisms

Andityas Matos

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Hardback

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English

Rowman & Littlefield
19 February 2026

Social & political philosophy; Religion & politics; Political structure & processes; Law & society

Series: Decrypting Power and Coloniality: Philosophical Perspectives from and through the Global South

This book presents a genealogy of the concept of political theology through the theory of encryption of power.

The legitimacy of political power, largely overlooked in traditional political theory and philosophy, is largely rooted in what has come to be known as political theology, although the current state may be formally secular. This concept is essential for philosophical interpretations that can unveil and address the complex interconnections between religion and politics, as well as faith and power. This book employs the theory of the encryption of power and the ontological idea of an-anarchy—that is, a practice of thought without foundations and centered on flow, potency, and contingency—to provide a brief genealogy of the idea of political theology, exploring its key authors, both classical (such as Schmitt, Benjamin, and Taubes) and contemporary, including feminist, black, and decolonial perspectives. These contemporary approaches emerge from processes that decrypt power and, by moving beyond the sovereign framework, antagonize political-economic authority. The book also examines phenomena such as Christofascism, prosperity theology, and neo-Pentecostalism in politics, alongside other significant themes relevant to today’s world.

By: Andityas Matos
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 230mm, Width: 150mm, Spine: 18mm
Weight: 500g
ISBN: 9781666978650
ISBN 10: 1666978655
Series: Decrypting Power and Coloniality: Philosophical Perspectives from and through the Global South
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 19 February 2026
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Summary Introduction: Why Political Theology Today? 1. Genealogy 2. Tendencies 3. Antagonisms Conclusion: Life in Common and Radical-Democratic Faith

Andityas Matos is professor of philosophy of law at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Reviews for Decrypting Political Theology: Genealogy, Tendencies, Antagonisms

In this intelligent and important book Andityas Matos presents a thesis that is perfectly understandable and agreeable: politics cannot free itself from an implicit or explicit reference to religious transcendence. In this way, post-structuralist and post-colonial critical thought engages with political theology by seeking a non-authoritarian origin of politics, thereby bringing forth in this work a democratic approach to political theology, articulated in a compelling and innovative manner. Another noteworthy aspect is the author’s critical attention to old and new forms of anti-democratic and foundationalist political theology, such as the sacralisation of politics and economics and the politicisation of religion. Against this, the author presents the idea of democracy as a way of life that embraces the transcendent dimension in order to avoid falling into structures of domination. * Carlo Galli, University of Bologna *