Rulers, Religion, and Riches

Erscheinungsjahr 2017
ISBN: 978-1-107-03681-9
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 288 Seiten, Format (B × H): 157 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 634 g

Reihe: Cambridge Studies in Economics, Choice, and Society

For centuries following the spread of Islam, the Middle East was far ahead of Europe. Yet, the modern economy was born in Europe. Why was it not born in the Middle East? In this book Jared Rubin examines the role that Islam played in this reversal of fortunes. It argues that the religion itself is not to blame; the importance of religious legitimacy in Middle Eastern politics was the primary culprit. Muslim religious authorities were given an important seat at the political bargaining table, which they used to block important advancements such as the printing press and lending at interest. In Europe, however, the Church played a weaker role in legitimizing rule, especially where Protestantism spread (indeed, the Reformation was successful due to the spread of printing, which was blocked in the Middle East). It was precisely in those Protestant nations, especially England and the Dutch Republic, where the modern economy was born.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Rubin, Jared

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Geschichte einzelner Länder Naher & Mittlerer Osten
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Regierungspolitik Wirtschafts- und Finanzpolitik
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Volkswirtschaftslehre Internationale Wirtschaft Entwicklungsökonomie & Emerging Markets
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Internationale Beziehungen Entwicklungspolitik, Nord-Süd Beziehungen
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Volkswirtschaftslehre Wirtschaftspolitik, politische Ökonomie
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Weltgeschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction; Part I. Propagation of Rule: A Theory of Economic Success and Stagnation: 2. The propagation rule; 3. Historical origins of rule propagation; Part II. Applying the Theory: Why the West Got Rich and the Middle East Did Not: 4. Bans on taking interest; 5. Restrictions on the printing press; 6. Printing and the Reformation; 7. Success: England and the Dutch Republic; 8. Stagnation: Spain and the Ottoman Empire; 9. Conclusion.

Über Autor(innen)

Rubin, Jared
Jared Rubin is an Associate Professor of Economics at Chapman University, California. His research on the relationship between political and religious institutions and their role in economic development has appeared in numerous leading economics journals.