
Contents
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I. Introduction I. Introduction
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II. Economic Models of Churches in The Wealth of Nations II. Economic Models of Churches in The Wealth of Nations
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A. The Historical Context A. The Historical Context
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B. The Church and the Right Ordering of Society B. The Church and the Right Ordering of Society
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III. The Rational Choice Response to the Secularization Hypothesis III. The Rational Choice Response to the Secularization Hypothesis
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IV. Developments in the Economics of Religion IV. Developments in the Economics of Religion
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A. Applying Price Theory to Churches A. Applying Price Theory to Churches
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B. Club Models: Strictness as a Screening Device B. Club Models: Strictness as a Screening Device
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C. Possible Developments of the Club Model C. Possible Developments of the Club Model
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V. Public Choice Models of Religious Markets V. Public Choice Models of Religious Markets
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Notes Notes
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References References
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22 Economic Models of Churches
Get accessRobert Mochrie is Senior Lecturer in Economics at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
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Published:03 March 2014
Cite
Abstract
The economics of religion lays aside transcendent claims of the church to study it as a social organization that uses scarce resources to achieve its ends. In contrast to the secularization models deployed by some sociologists of religion, economic models of religion tend to suggest that free markets for religious services will encourage continual entry of new organisations, steadily enriching religion. There is, however, no unified economic model of religion. In this chapter, we consider the role of models that treats strictness in religious practice as a screening device that has the effect of reducing free riding where religious goods are collectively produced, the role of voluntary contributions as the main financing mechanism of churches, a characterisation of a denominational church as a franchise organisation, and the possibility that officials of monopoly churches might engage in rent seeking behaviour at the expense of church members.
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