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Devotion and Development: Religiosity, Education, and Economic Progress in Nineteenth-Century France

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  • Mara P. Squicciarini

Abstract

This paper studies when religion can hamper diffusion of knowledge and economic development, and through which mechanism. I examine Catholicism in France during the Second Industrial Revolution (1870–1914). In this period, technology became skill-intensive, leading to the introduction of technical education in primary schools. I find that more religious locations had lower economic development after 1870. Schooling appears to be the key mechanism: more religious areas saw a slower adoption of the technical curriculum and a push for religious education. In turn, religious education was negatively associated with industrial development 10 to 15 years later, when schoolchildren entered the labor market.

Suggested Citation

  • Mara P. Squicciarini, 2020. "Devotion and Development: Religiosity, Education, and Economic Progress in Nineteenth-Century France," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 110(11), pages 3454-3491, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:110:y:2020:i:11:p:3454-91
    DOI: 10.1257/aer.20191054
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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