Faithonomics: Religion and the Free Market

by Torkel Brekke

Overview

Faithonomics uses economic theory to provide a new and unorthodox view of religion in today's world. Drawing on state-of-the-art research and on case studies from around the globe, this book shows that religion should be analysed as a market similar to markets for other goods and services, like bottled water or haircuts.

Faithonomics is about today's religious markets, but in sweeping detours through the histories of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism, Brekke shows us the religious markets of the past, although these were sometimes heavily regulated by states. He argues that government 'control' over religious markets is often the cause of unforeseen and negative consequences. Many of today's problems related to religion, like religious terrorism or rent-seeking by religious political parties, are easier to understand if we think like economists. Religious markets work best when they are relatively free. Religious organizations should be free to sell their products without unnecessary restrictions, but we have no good reason to grant them privileges in the form of subsidies or tax-breaks.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190627690
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	10/15/2016
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 5.80(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Torkel Brekke is Deputy Director and Research Professor at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). He is also a research theme leader at the Centre for Research on Extremism (C-REX) at the University of Oslo and works part time for the liberal think tank Civita.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS


Acknowledgements

Introduction: The economic look at religion

PART ONE
THE MARKET FOR RELIGION

1. Should priests be bribed into laziness?
2. What is the difference between going to church and getting a haircut?
3. What is the difference between a priest and a fighter pilot?
4. American self-deceptions and French delusions


PART TWO
HISTORY - RELIGIOUS MARKETS IN OTHER TIMES AND PLACES

5. Religious markets in the world of Islam
6. Religious markets in the Hindu tradition
7. Religious markets in the world of Buddhism
8. Religious markets in the medieval Catholic world


PART THREE
THE PRESENT - SEVEN SINS OF GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION

9. Crowding out
10. Rent-seeking
11. Monopoly
12. Discrimination
13. Persecution
14. Reification
15. Imitation

Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

"A real contribution of the book is a discussion of religious markets in Islam, Hinduism,
and Buddhism-territory that is seldom explored in overwhelmingly North American economics of religion literature."—Paul Oslington, Journal of Markets & Morality

"At a time when debate about religion is often dominated by talk of clashing ideologies, Faithonomics offers a refreshing set of tools for liberals to defend religious freedom." - The Financial Times

"[Brekke] has enthusiastically and provocatively adopted an economic perspective on religion." — Times Higher Education

'This book challenges the notion that communities of faith are static and insular, and views religion as part of the interactions within complex societies. Using economic models to describe the competition of ideas in the multicultural marketplace, it presents a thesis that readers will find both startling and controversial, but difficult to ignore. This may become one of the most discussed books in religion in our time.' —Mark Juergensmeyer, Professor, Global and International Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, and co-author of God in the Tumult of the Global Square

"A provocative and compelling book, not only about religion in the US but about religion universally. Brekke makes a good case for looking at religion as a commodity best left to the free market, the better to pacify violence associated with religion and to ensure quality in the provision of spiritual guidance to adherents/consumers. Clearly and concisely written, this is an important contribution to our understanding of how government and religion intersect." — David True, Chair, Philosophy and Religion Department Assistant Professor of Religion, Wilson College, PA and co-editor of Political Theology

"Provocative and unconventional, this engaging book challenges dominant assumptions about religion as a public good in modern life, asserting that government involvement in religious markets produces negative consequences for society. Critical, yet accessible, Faithonomics offers an economic prescription for the proper role of religion in public life to redefine the jurisdictional limits of religion and state, in order to cultivate a more peaceful understanding of moral citizenship." - Chad E. Seales, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, The University of Texas at Austin

'The magic and brilliance of Brekke's Faithonomics is that little by little, the author breaks down the reader's reflex resistance to his argument (who, after all, intuitively thinks about their religious faith in economic terms?). By the end of this elegantly written book, he actually manages to sell it!'—Aakash Singh, Professor of Political Science and Philosophy, JNU University (New Delhi) and LUISS University (Rome)

"Vibrant examples and the absence of unnecessary jargon make the book accessible to a wide audience of scholars, students, and policy wonks. Both supporters and critics will find Faithonomics to be rich in ideas and deserving of thoughtful consideration." Sociology of Religion

From the Publisher