Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/43515 
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dc.contributor.authorMichalopoulos, Steliosen
dc.contributor.authorNaghavi, Alirezaen
dc.contributor.authorPrarolo, Giovannien
dc.date.accessioned2010-11-24-
dc.date.accessioned2010-12-22T10:43:21Z-
dc.date.available2010-12-22T10:43:21Z-
dc.date.issued2010-
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10419/43515-
dc.description.abstractThis research examines the economic origins of Islam and uncovers two empirical regularities. First, Muslim countries, virtual countries and ethnic groups, exhibit highly unequal regional agricultural endowments. Second, Muslim adherence is systematically larger along the pre-Islamic trade routes in the Old World. The theory argues that this particular type of geography (i) determined the economic aspects of the religious doctrine upon which Islam was formed, and (ii) shaped its subsequent economic performance. It suggests that the unequal distribution of land endowments conferred differential gains from trade across regions, fostering predatory behavior from the poorly endowed ones. In such an environment it was mutually beneficial to institute a system of income redistribution. However, a higher propensity to save by the rich would exacerbate wealth inequality rendering redistribution unsustainable, leading to the demise of the Islamic unity. Consequently, income inequality had to remain within limits for Islam to persist. This was instituted via restrictions on physical capital accumulation. Such rules rendered the investments on public goods, through religious endowments, increasingly attractive. As a result, capital accumulation remained low and wealth inequality bounded. Geography and trade shaped the set of economically relevant religious principles of Islam affecting its economic trajectory in the preindustrial world.en
dc.language.isoengen
dc.publisher|aFondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM) |cMilanoen
dc.relation.ispartofseries|aNota di Lavoro |x2010,75en
dc.subject.jelO10en
dc.subject.jelO13en
dc.subject.jelO16en
dc.subject.jelO17en
dc.subject.jelO18en
dc.subject.jelF10en
dc.subject.jelZ12en
dc.subject.ddc330en
dc.subject.keywordReligionen
dc.subject.keywordIslamen
dc.subject.keywordGeographyen
dc.subject.keywordPhysical Capitalen
dc.subject.keywordHuman Capitalen
dc.subject.keywordLand Inequalityen
dc.subject.keywordWealth Inequalityen
dc.subject.keywordTradeen
dc.titleTrade and geography in the economic origins of Islam: theory and evidence-
dc.typeWorking Paperen
dc.identifier.ppn640491936en
dc.rightshttp://www.econstor.eu/dspace/Nutzungsbedingungenen

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