Introduction to the Economics of Religion

Studies of religion and economics can be segregated into 3 major lines of inquiry. This essay emphasizes the line of research that interprets religious behavior from an economic perspective, applying microeconomic theory and techniques to explain patterns of religious behavior among individuals, gro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of economic literature 1998-09, Vol.36 (3), p.1465-1495
Main Author: Iannaccone, Laurence R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Buddhism
Catholicism
Christianity
Church attendance
Churches
Economic theory
Economics
Human capital
Islam
Judaism
Protestantism
Religion
Sociology of religion
Studies
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Summary:Studies of religion and economics can be segregated into 3 major lines of inquiry. This essay emphasizes the line of research that interprets religious behavior from an economic perspective, applying microeconomic theory and techniques to explain patterns of religious behavior among individuals, groups, and cultures. Studies of the economic consequences of religion form a 2nd line, which is reviewed in less depth. The last line, which one might call religious economics, is primarily of interest to philosophers, theologians, and economists seeking to evaluate economic policies from a religious perspective.
ISSN:0022-0515
2328-8175