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Religious favoritism in Europe: A political competition model

Author

Listed:
  • Pablo Brañas-Garza

    (GLOBE: Universidad de Granada, Spain, pbg@ugr.es)

  • Angel Solano

    (GLOBE: Universidad de Granada, Spain)

Abstract

This paper explores a highly controversial issue: while most European countries are secular, the governments of these countries widely support religious institutions. The arguments put forward by the median voter seem insufficient to explain the data. We show that if political parties are allowed to take an ideological position with respect to religion, the observed deviations from the most preferred policy by the median voter could be explained.

Suggested Citation

  • Pablo Brañas-Garza & Angel Solano, 2010. "Religious favoritism in Europe: A political competition model," Rationality and Society, , vol. 22(3), pages 333-352, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:22:y:2010:i:3:p:333-352
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463110374498
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert J. Barro & Rachel M. McCleary, 2005. "Which Countries Have State Religions?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 120(4), pages 1331-1370.
    2. Stark, Rodney & Iannaccone, Laurence R & Finke, Roger, 1996. "Religion, Science, and Rationality," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 86(2), pages 433-437, May.
    3. Laurence R. Iannaccone, 1998. "Introduction to the Economics of Religion," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 36(3), pages 1465-1495, September.
    4. Edward L. Glaeser & Bruce I. Sacerdote, 2008. "Education and Religion," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 2(2), pages 188-215.
    5. Rachel M. McCleary & Robert J. Barro, 2006. "Religion and Economy," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 20(2), pages 49-72, Spring.
    6. Mark Chaves & David E. Cann, 1992. "Regulation, Pluralism, and Religious Market Structure," Rationality and Society, , vol. 4(3), pages 272-290, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aurelian-Petruş PLOPEANU, 2011. "Religion, Freedoms And Wealth," Review of Economic and Business Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 7, pages 108-115, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    favoritism; political economics; religiosity; voting;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • H59 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Other

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