Religion in Economic History

For the Handbook of Historical Economics, a tremendous collection on economic history, we prepared an extensive survey on religion in economic history. Religion has historically played an important role in Western societies, affecting or even defining individual beliefs, cultural norms, social organizations, and political power. Over the past two decades, the study of “religion in economic history” has emerged as a new field. How did religion and religious beliefs in God and the afterlife affect economic history? And how did historical socioeconomic circumstances shape religious beliefs and activities? Our chapter highlights three general insights that emerge from this rapidly growing literature. First, the monotheistic character of the three main Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – facilitated a close historical interconnection of religion with political power and conflict. Second, human capital often played a leading role in the interconnection between religion and economic history. Third, many socioeconomic factors matter in the historical development of religions.

Non-technical contribution:

Recent Insights on the Role of Religion in Economic History (with S.O. Becker and J. Rubin). Vox, 12.7.2020

Handbook chapter:

Religion in Economic History: A Survey (with S.O. Becker and J. Rubin). In: A. Bisin, G. Federico (eds.), The Handbook of Historical Economics, London: Academic Press, 585-639, 2021 [tweet handbook] [tweet chapter]

Additional material is available in German.