Abstract
We study the co-evolution of religion, science, and politics. We first uncover, in international and U.S. data, a robust negative relationship between religiosity and patents per capita. The model then combines: (1) scientific discoveries that raise productivity but sometimes erode religious beliefs; (2) a government that allows innovations to diffuse, or blocks them; (3) religious institutions that can invest in doctrinal reform. Three long-term outcomes emerge. The "Western-European Secularization"regime has declining religiosity, unimpeded science, and high taxes and transfers. The "Theocratic"regime involves knowledge stagnation, unquestioned dogma, and high religious-public-goods spending. The "American"regime combines scientific progress and stable religiosity through doctrinal adaptations, with low taxes and some fiscal-legal advantages for religious activities. Rising income inequality can, however, empower a Religious-Right alliance that starts blocking belief-eroding ideas.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1785-1832 |
Number of pages | 48 |
Journal | Review of Economic Studies |
Volume | 89 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1 2022 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Economics and Econometrics
Keywords
- Denialism
- Discovery
- Inequality
- Innovation
- Knowledge
- Politics
- Populism
- Progress
- Redistribution
- Religion
- Religious right
- Science
- Secularization
- Theocracy
- Tolerance