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All equal in the sight of God: economic inequality and religion in the early twentieth century

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  • Livio Di Matteo

Abstract

A link between religion, estate division behavior, and economic inequality is demonstrated. Economic inequality varied across religious affiliations in early twentieth century Canada. Wealth inequality was higher for Anglicans and Roman Catholics relative to Presbyterians. Earnings inequality was higher for Anglicans and Presbyterians relative to Baptists and Catholics. In explaining differences in wealth inequality, estate division differences across religions are a factor with partibility associated with less inequality. However, these differences cannot be neatly categorized into watertight compartments according to the effects of differences in salvific merit or liberal/conservative divides suggesting the simple act of belonging had important network effects.

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  • Livio Di Matteo, 2016. "All equal in the sight of God: economic inequality and religion in the early twentieth century," European Review of Economic History, European Historical Economics Society, vol. 20(1), pages 23-45.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:ereveh:v:20:y:2016:i:1:p:23-45.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/ereh/hev009
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