Mark R. Royce

Mark R. Royce, Ph.D., is Associate Professor and Department Chair of Political Science at Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, and author of The Political Theology of European Integration: Comparing the Influence of Religious Histories on European Policies (2017), and Ecclesiology, Idealism, and World Polity: The Concordats of the Apostolic See ([under contract] 2024), both from Palgrave Macmillan. He also attained the rank of First Lieutenant in the Virginia State Guard, and may be reached at [email protected].

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The Political Theology of Space Exploration: Between Anarchy, State, and Utopia
The Political Theology of Space Exploration: Between Anarchy, State, and Utopia

Apologists of outer space exploration tout their collective efforts as the supreme manifestation of human rationality: peaceful, non-partisan, inoffensive, and humanistic. But the historical reality is that its institutional origins are largely irrational.

Keys to the Kingdom, Light to the World: A Review of Barbato, Joustra, and Hoover’s Modern Papal Diplomacy and Social Teaching in World Affairs

The overall intent of Modern Papal Diplomacy and Social Teaching in World Affairs is to continue the rediscovery of theology’s influence on politics with respect to the recent papacy.

Heroic Materialism: A Review of Joshua Hawley’s Theodore Roosevelt: Preacher of Righteousness
Heroic Materialism: Review of Joshua Hawley’s Theodore Roosevelt: Preacher of Righteousness

Senator Hawley’s Theodore Roosevelt: Preacher of Righteousness is an interesting, though not altogether convincing portrayal of the 26th president as a lifelong crusader for moral action.

“When Peter Met Mao”: Inferring the Contents of the Concordat between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China
“When Peter Met Mao”: Inferring the Contents of the Concordat between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China

The text and therefore the terms of the “Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and China” have not been made public. But its probable contents can be surmised.

Seven Decades, Seven Principles: Reflections on the Atlantic Council’s Declaration of Principles for Freedom, Prosperity, and Peace
Seven Decades, Seven Principles: Reflections on the Atlantic Council’s Declaration of Principles for Freedom, Prosperity, and Peace

Liberal declaration of the kind described above is generally well-intentioned. Yet as often as not, it appears to but embarrass the democrat whilst amusing the dictator.

The Nation-State as Guarantor of the Protestant Religion
The Nation-State as Guarantor of the Protestant Religion

The nation-state emerged in Western Europe out of the Wars of Religion as a tool of the Protestant movements.

Strength, Security, Engagement: Liberal Optimist Canada Defense Strategy
Strength, Security, Engagement: Canada’s Liberal Optimist Defense Strategy

Mark Royce explains why Canada’s defense strategy is a mediocre study unworthy of such a vitally important democratic state.

Alarmist Media Misrepresents Bavaria’s New Prime Minister, Markus Söder
Media Misrepresents Bavaria’s New Prime Minister, Markus Söder

Some media outlets have called Markus Söder “Germany’s Trump” and the “Merkel Slayer.” They’re wrong.

Bourgeois Self-Pity: A Warning. Book Review of Madeleine Albright's Fascism: A Warning
Bourgeois Self-Pity: A Warning. Review of Madeleine Albright’s Fascism: A Warning

Madeleine Albright’s Fascism: A Warning is both cynical and shallow.

How Will France Defend Itself? An Analysis of the French National Security Strategy
How Will France Defend Itself? An Analysis of the French National Security Strategy

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces plans to increase defense spending from about 40.8 billion euros in 2017 to 42.8 billion euros in 2018, with increases projected to continue through 2025.