Apocalyptic Trends in Contemporary Politics

Center for Religious Studies at the Central European University
First Doctoral Conference in Religious Studies

Enchantments, Disenchantments, Re-enchantments:
Religion, State, and Society through History
June 29th-July 1st 2017

Apocalyptic Trends in Contemporary Politics
Stella Marega
Ph.D University of Trieste

Abstract
Several studies have demonstrated the historical permanence of a mythical-symbolic complex linked to eschatological expectations, that, starting from the early religious Apocalypticism, arrives to modern times. Particularly influential is the thesis suggested by Eric Voegelin, who identified a precise path of transformation of the Apocalyptic expectations, gone through processes of secularization and re-divinization and finally culminated in the construction of XX Century's totalitarian regimes.
Taking into account these premises, this presentation aims at demonstrate as the overlap between Apocalyptic trends and political phenomena has taken on new relevance in recent times, in connection with the latest geopolitical dynamics on a global scale.
The first part will introduce the analysis of the Kingdom of the End of Times, a political myth constituted by the idea of a present time perceived as a condition of insecurity and injustice, which can be resolved by a miraculous final event or a final struggle which will establish a kingdom of peace and justice.
The second part will demonstrate as the Apocalyptic character of the Kingdom of the End of Times survives in various forms in the contemporary politics. The assumption is supported by few examples: the presence of messianic aspects in US imperialism, the influence of the doctrine of the Hidden Imam doctrine in Ahamadinejad's Iranian policy, and the use of the Dabiq prophecy in the Islamic State propaganda.