The Political Economy of Religion
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This program is interdisciplinary, focusing on the global interplay among religion, economic performance, and political variables. We explore the role of religion in the economic, political, and social development of individuals and nations. We look at the two-way causation under the following rubrics:
1) The effects of economic development on religion. How a nation's economic and political developments affect its level of religiosity. Does economic development cause religion to play a lesser role in the political process and in policy-making, in the legal process, as well as in social arrangements? Do state religions become less likely? How does this impact on toleration and various types of freedoms?
Another aspect is the effect of government regulation on religion in the context of subsidies and laws. What are the effects of subsidies on religion as compared to regulation of the religion market by the state? Religion can become politicized to the degree that it engages in "prophet-sharing" with the government. By contrast, where there is a weak state, or a failed state, religion becomes the primary provider of public goods. The lack of political legitimacy of a state and its ineffectiveness in providing public goods opens an opportunity for religious organizations to step in. How does this come about? Why are people willing to let religion fill the vacuum of the government?
2) The effects of religion on economic development. A distinction is made between religious participation and religiosity (beliefs) and how each influences individual productivity and the nature of political, economic, and cultural institutions. The evolution of religious institutions and their policies and how they impose restrictions on economic activity is topic of inquiry. The accommodation between religion and secular politics across countries is a timely topic with regard to economic growth.
Religious beliefs and rituals have distinct effects on economic performance. Some highly preliminary results on the determinants of economic growth suggest a negative effect from participation in religious rituals but a positive effect from religious beliefs. Subsequent analysis will also assess religious influences on the formation and maintenance of political institutions, including effects on democracy, the rule of law, and corruption.
An important part of our program's mission is to encourage research on religion and the social sciences by undergraduate and graduate students. Because the area of inquiry-interplay between religion and the social sciences is relatively undeveloped, we encourage the research interest of Ph.D. students who are at an early point of their studies.
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The seminar series focuses on interdisciplinary research on religion in the social sciences. To encourage discussion and research, a bi-weekly seminar series luncheon will begin in the Fall of 2008. In the fall, scholars from around the world will come and present their work. The Spring of 2009 will be dedicated to Harvard faculty and graduate students working on religion in the social sciences. Our speakers come from various disciplines - economics, sociology, politics, anthropology, history - presenting new ways of addressing issues on religion.
Seminar Schedule - Fall 2008 (Tentative)
September 25: “The Price of Love: Marriage Markets and Intergenerational Transfers in Comparative Perspective,” Maristella Botticini (Boston University)
October 9: “The Formation of the Tibetan State Religion: The Geluk School 1419-1642,” Rachel McCleary (Harvard University) and Leonard van der Kuijp (Harvard University)
October 23: “Muslim Family Law, Prenuptial Agreements and the Emergency of Dowry in Bangladesh,” Attila Ambrus (Harvard University) and Erica Field (Harvard University)
November 6: "Was Max Weber Right After All? Economic Effects of the Protestant Reformation in the German Lands," Davide Cantoni (Harvard University)
November 20: "A Theory of Religious Organizations," Gilat Levy (London School of Economics ) and Ronny Razin (London School of Economics)
December 4: “Estimating the Impact of the Hajj: Religion and Tolerance in Islam's Global Gathering,” David Clingingsmith (Case Western Reserve), Asim Khwaja (Harvard University), and Michael Kremer (Harvard University)
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The program's website seeks to establish a community of thinkers and researchers interested in the political economy of religion. Over 100 journal abstracts and book citations from the past ten years have been selected for their relevance to the program. In addition, a dozen working papers are available online to promote peer review. This presence on the Internet has produced e-mail inquiries from researchers in Pakistan, South Africa, Israel, Scandinavia, and Europe.
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Rachel M. McCleary, Kennedy School
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The list below is a portal to links and datasets that deal with the political economy of religion.
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Please contact Dana Brudowsky at dana_brudowsky@ksg.harvard.edu with questions or to request more information.
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Copyright ©2008 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College.