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Religious symbols in the public sphere and development of the third sector: Some evidence from rural Poland

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  • Fałkowski, Jan
  • Kurek, Przemysław J.

Abstract

In this paper we examine to what extent civic engagement might emerge from a deep and organic link, which exists between religion and culture. We rely on a novel approach which approximates the deep embodiment of religious institutions in culture by the presence of religious symbols in the public sphere. Drawing on data for rural Poland, we show that municipalities in which we observe a growing number of street names associated with the Catholic Church display a higher level of civic engagement (measured by the number of NGOs) than municipalities in which, over the last years, such streets were not created.

Suggested Citation

  • Fałkowski, Jan & Kurek, Przemysław J., 2024. "Religious symbols in the public sphere and development of the third sector: Some evidence from rural Poland," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 495-508.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:52:y:2024:i:2:p:495-508
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2023.12.003
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion
    • L31 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Nonprofit Institutions; NGOs; Social Entrepreneurship
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe

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