Forbidden Fruits: The Political Economy of Science, Religion, and Growth

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Benabou, Roland; Ticchi, Davide; Vindigni, Andrea
• 署名单位: Princeton University; National Bureau of Economic Research; Center for Economic & Policy Research (CEPR); IZA Institute Labor Economics; Marche Polytechnic University; University of Genoa
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMIC STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6527
• DOI: 10.1093/restud/rdab069
• 发表日期: 2022
• 页码: 1785-1832
• 关键词: vested interests; beliefs; WORLD; persistence; preferences; EVOLUTION; MODEL

摘要

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.