Can religion become a vehicle for political expansion, cultural influence, or state-building?
Throughout history, scholars have debated the relationship between religion, political authority, identity, and empire. In this episode, we critically examine the concept of theocratic colonialism and discuss claims that religious institutions or movements have, in some historical or contemporary contexts, been linked to processes of cultural assimilation or political dominance.
Specifically, we explore debates surrounding the ideas of Arabization and Fulanization as they appear in historical scholarship, political commentary, and public discourse. The episode distinguishes between documented historical processes, contemporary political claims, and differing interpretations.