Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 483-502 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Journal | PUBLIC CHOICE |
| Volume | 145 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 1 Dec 2009 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2010 |
Abstract
Religious participation is much more widespread in the United States than in Europe, while Europeans tend to view sects more suspiciously than Americans. We propose an explanation for these patterns without assuming differences in preferences or market fundamentals. We study a religious market where both demand and supply of spiritual services are endogenous. Such markets may have multiple equilibria. Further, equilibria with more sects result in higher welfare and lower membership costs, as secular societies tend to host on average more demanding sects.
Keywords
- D71, J24, L89, Religion, Sects, Sects markets, Z12
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences(all)
- Sociology and Political Science
- Economics, Econometrics and Finance(all)
- Economics and Econometrics
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In: PUBLIC CHOICE, Vol. 145, No. 3, 12.2010, p. 483-502.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The invisible hand plays dice
T2 - Multiple equilibria in sects markets
AU - Poutvaara, Panu
AU - Wagener, Andreas
PY - 2010/12
Y1 - 2010/12
N2 - Religious participation is much more widespread in the United States than in Europe, while Europeans tend to view sects more suspiciously than Americans. We propose an explanation for these patterns without assuming differences in preferences or market fundamentals. We study a religious market where both demand and supply of spiritual services are endogenous. Such markets may have multiple equilibria. Further, equilibria with more sects result in higher welfare and lower membership costs, as secular societies tend to host on average more demanding sects.
AB - Religious participation is much more widespread in the United States than in Europe, while Europeans tend to view sects more suspiciously than Americans. We propose an explanation for these patterns without assuming differences in preferences or market fundamentals. We study a religious market where both demand and supply of spiritual services are endogenous. Such markets may have multiple equilibria. Further, equilibria with more sects result in higher welfare and lower membership costs, as secular societies tend to host on average more demanding sects.
KW - D71
KW - J24
KW - L89
KW - Religion
KW - Sects
KW - Sects markets
KW - Z12
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=78649324362&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11127-009-9576-y
DO - 10.1007/s11127-009-9576-y
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:78649324362
VL - 145
SP - 483
EP - 502
JO - PUBLIC CHOICE
JF - PUBLIC CHOICE
SN - 0048-5829
IS - 3
ER -