Extremism and the Economics of Religion

By modeling religious activity as a product of rational choice and market forces, the economics of religion offers new insights concerning religious trends, the consequences of religious freedom, doctrinal innovation, and the enduring appeal of extremism. The work both complements and challenges tha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Economic record 2012-06, Vol.88 (s1), p.110-115
Main Author: IANNACCONE, LAURENCE R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
D71
D74
Economics
Extremism
Freedom of religion
Political associations
Rational choice
Religion
Religious behaviour
Sectarianism
Social movements
Studies
Z12
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Summary:By modeling religious activity as a product of rational choice and market forces, the economics of religion offers new insights concerning religious trends, the consequences of religious freedom, doctrinal innovation, and the enduring appeal of extremism. The work both complements and challenges that of sociologists, historians, and other religious scholars. Club‐theoretic models of sectarianism highlight the potential benefits of strictness and sacrifice, not only in religions, but also in communes, gangs, military units, social movements, political organizations, and even academic subfields.
ISSN:0013-0249
1475-4932
DOI:10.1111/j.1475-4932.2012.00803.x