| Description |
1 online resource |
| Contents |
Intro -- 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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
| Summary |
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 |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Subject |
Economics -- Religious aspects.
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Religion -- Economic aspects.
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Economics -- Religious aspects
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Religion -- Economic aspects
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| ISBN |
9783030444556 |
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3030444554 |
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