MACMILLAN Religion and Economics

This book allows the reader to have an overview of the relations between religion and economics throughout history. It starts with the beginnings of early modern humans, when dreams (of dead ancestors), animism, synchronous movements and a propensity to exchange, led to the emergence of religion, which then contributed to the coordination and pooling of labor and to the definition of groups. This book surveys the various roles played by religion in economic life through the ages, which include the justification of the exploitation of nature, the expansion of trade, the emergence of inequality and of charity, the definition, enhancement and attenuation of hierarchies of dominance, the provision of various services and of the impact religion has had on economic performance at the micro and macro levels. Review “Resit Ergener has written a very fine historical account of the inter-relationship between religion and economics over many centuries. Wide-ranging, well-researched, covering many regions and with intellectual breadth and depth, this volume will be a valuable contribution to current research in religion and economics, and for all those interested in their interactions.” (Sriya Iyer, University of Cambridge) From the Back Cover This book allows the reader to have an overview of the relations between religion and economics throughout history. It starts with the beginnings of early modern humans, when dreams (of dead ancestors), animism, synchronous movements and a propensity to exchange, led to the emergence of religion, which then contributed to the coordination and pooling of labor and to the definition of groups. This book surveys the various roles played by religion in economic life through the ages, which include the justification of the exploitation of nature, the expansion of trade, the emergence of inequality and of charity, the definition, enhancement and attenuation of hierarchies of dominance, the provision of various services and of the impact religion has had on economic performance at the micro and macro levels. About the Author Resit Ergener is Assistant Professor of Economics at Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey, where he has been teaching since 1977 & Nişantaşı University, Istanbul, Turkey.