Religion and Cliometric Analysis

In the last two decades, economists and economic historians have “rediscovered” religion as a significant driver of long-run economic growth. This chapter surveys the cliometric contributions to this literature – data-driven research that uses economic insights to further our understanding of the relationship between religion, religious institutions, and economic growth. Special emphasis is placed on human capital development and political economy, two channels through which religion has had an especially pronounced effect on economic growth. Importantly, this literature places little emphasis on the doctrine of these religions, instead focusing on institutional and political causal channels.