Religion and Economics

Acknowledgments
Introduction
	References
Contents
1 Defining Religion
	References
2 An Illusion, a Capability, a Tendency: Formation of Groups and the Encounter with Gods
	An Illusion: Animism
	A Capability: The Community Dance
		The Community Dance
		Beginnings of Religion: Dancing to Influence Nature
	Unintended Outcomes of the Community Dance
		Solidarity and Cooperation
		Definition and Delineation of Groups
		Intra-group Alliances
		Eliminating the Free Riders
		Screening the Non-committed
	Encounter with “Big Gods”
		Dance and the Gods
		Decline of the Dance
		Synchronous Movements Today
	A Propensity: Exchange
		“Friends Make Gifts, Gifts Make Friends”
		Reciprocity as the Rational Choice
		Reciprocity in Nature
		Exchange as Production
		Balanced, Generalized, and Negative Reciprocity
		The Gift
		Religion and Exchange
	References
3 Exchange with Nature and with Gods:  License to Exploit
	Gifts to Nature, Gifts to Gods
	Oneness with God: Sufism, Eastern Religions, Monism
	Abrahamic Religions
	St. Francis, Pope Francis, and Patriarch Bartholomew
	Religion and Environmentalism
	References
4 Exchange Among Humans:  Divine Supervision
	Divine Supervision of Trade
	Sacred Markets
	Emporia
	Religious Texts Promoting the Fulfillment of Contract Obligations
	References
5 Exchange Among Humans: Networks of Trust
	Contract Uncertainty
	Groups and Reputation
	Insignia: Recognizable
	Insignia: Genuine
	Sects and Cults
	Sects in Diamond Industry
	Outcast Groups and Trade
	Diasporas
	Cooperation and Diffusion: Long-Distance Trade and Spread of Islam in Africa
	Trade and Religion Today
	References
6 Religion and the Rise of Inequality
	Egalitarian Beginnings
	Why Share?
	Aggrandizers Biding Their Time
		Creation of Surpluses
		Storage Facilities Becoming Available
		Production of Food Items that Last Long Under Storage
		Reciprocal Rather Than Generalized Exchange
	Appropriating by Consent Rather Than Force
		Debt
		Divine Justification for Claims to Resources
		Feasts
		Divine Justification for Claims to Leadership
		Circumscription
		Leadership Benefits in Return for Imaginary Services
		Leadership Benefits in Return for Real Services
		“Water Temples” of Bali
		Mesopotamia: Organizing Irrigation and Labor
		Mesopotamia: Storage in Temples
		Offerings to Temples
		Amassing Wealth in Temples
	Spread of Inequality
	References
7 Religion and Hierarchies of Dominance
	Oppression and Discrimination
	Myths: Attenuating and Enhancing Oppression
	Institutions: Attenuating and Enhancing Oppression
	Religion and Oppression
	Religion and Subordination of Women
	Attenuating Oppression: Early Christianity
	Enhancing Oppression: Christianity After Constantine
	Christianity and War
	Islam: Holy Jihad
	Muslim Empires: Tolerance and Dominance
	Pope vs. The Sultan
	References
8 Religion and Charity
	Gaining Prestige and Status
	Creating Obligations
	Benefiting the Donor
	Selfless Giving
	Punishes
	Rewards
	Defines Groups
	Provides the Leadership Gift
	Asks
	Sanctifies
	Reminds
	Teachings and Practice of Charity in Abrahamic Religions
	References
9 Religion and Economic Performance
	… Of Individuals
		Religious Attendance and Personal Income
		Religious Attendance, Non-economic Behavior, and Economic Performance
			Religion and Social Support
		Religion and Wealth
		Religion, Marriage, Child Ownership, Education, and Wealth
		Religion, Strategies, Values, and Wealth
	… Of Nations
		Beliefs, Participation, and Economic Growth
		Beliefs, Attitudes, and Economic Growth
		Classical Economists, Marx, and Weber
	References
10 Religion and Historical Divergences in Economic Performance
	Possible Explanations for the Relative Backwardness of Muslim Economies
	Kinship-Based, Agrarian Coercive, and Market Economies
	Weber and the Rise of Capitalism Among Puritans
	Monasticism and the Rise of Capitalism
	Autonomization of the Economic Sphere and Canon Law
	Final Words on the Great Divergence
	References
11 Concluding Remarks
	References
Index