Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/43533 
Year of Publication: 
2010
Series/Report no.: 
Nota di Lavoro No. 2010,53
Publisher: 
Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM), Milano
Abstract: 
We propose a model of religious organizations which relies on the ability of such organi-zations and personal utility shocks. We show how religious organizations arise endogenously and characterize their features. Specifically, we find that members of the religious organization share similar beliefs and are more likely to cooperate with one another in social interactions. We identify a 'spiritual' as well as a 'material' payoff for members of the religious organization. Our results explain and shed light on empirical phenomena such as the effects of secularization and economic development on religious beliefs and participation, the relation between the size of the religion and the intensity of its members' beliefs, religious segregation and religious conflicts.
Subjects: 
Economics of Religion
Religion
Organizations
Beliefs
JEL: 
L30
D71
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
318.01 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.