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We continue exploring the relationship between religious beliefs and economies. We just heard about possible links between the prosperity gospel and risky behaviors that led to the housing bubble and subsequent crash. Now, we ask whether belief in eternal damnation might help economies grow.
Education, access to technology, the rule of law and trade policy all influence economies. But a pair of Harvard researchers has sifted through 40 years worth of data from dozens of countries, and conclude that religious beliefs have a measurable effect on developing economies – especially the fear of hell.
For more we’re joined by Michael Fitzgerald. He wrote about this topic for The Boston Globe Ideas Section. He researched the article while a Templeton-Cambridge Journalism Fellow.
listen… [7 minutes, mp3 format]