Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/78255 
Year of Publication: 
1997
Series/Report no.: 
Thünen-Series of Applied Economic Theory - Working Paper No. 09
Publisher: 
Universität Rostock, Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre, Rostock
Abstract: 
Commodities do not only serve the purpose of satisfying direct needs in the production and con-sumption process. Some of them can also be used to display social status and to affect the position of an individual in society. This paper addresses the question under which circum-stances status-seeking behaviour may lead to permanent economic growth in a simple model. The protestant ethic is interpreted as a special case of status-seeking behaviour. It is shown that societies composed of status-seeking individuals may grow faster than less status-oriented societies.
Subjects: 
Protestant ethic
social status
economic growth
JEL: 
D91
D92
P16
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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