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Under which conditions does religion affect educational outcomes?

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  • Boppart, Timo
  • Falkinger, Josef
  • Grossmann, Volker
  • Woitek, Ulrich
  • Wüthrich, Gabriela

Abstract

This paper examines under which conditions religious denomination affects public spending on schooling and educational performance. We employ a unique data set which covers, inter alia, information on numerous measures of public school inputs in 169 Swiss districts for the years 1871/72, 1881/82 and 1894/95, marks from pedagogical examinations of conscripts (1875–1903), and results from political referenda to capture conservative or progressive values. Although Catholic districts show on average significantly lower educational performance and spend less on primary schooling than Protestant districts, Catholicism is harmful only in a conservative milieu. We also exploit information on absenteeism of pupils from school to separate provision of schooling from use of schooling.

Suggested Citation

  • Boppart, Timo & Falkinger, Josef & Grossmann, Volker & Woitek, Ulrich & Wüthrich, Gabriela, 2013. "Under which conditions does religion affect educational outcomes?," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 242-266.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:exehis:v:50:y:2013:i:2:p:242-266
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eeh.2012.12.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Catholicism; Human capital; Political attitudes; Public education; Religious denomination;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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