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Economic Origins of Roman Christianity

Author

Listed:
  • Ekelund Jr., Robert B.
  • Tollison, Robert D.

Abstract

In the global marketplace of ideas, few realms spark as much conflict as religion. For millions of people, it is an integral part of everyday life, reflected by a widely divergent supply of practices and philosophical perspectives. Yet, historically, the marketplace has not always been competitive. While the early Common Era saw competition between Christianity, Judaism, and the many pagan cults, Roman Christianity came eventually to dominate Western Europe. Using basic concepts of economic theory, Robert B. Ekelund Jr. and Robert D. Tollison explain the origin and subsequent spread of Roman Christianity, showing first how the standard concepts of risk, cost, and benefit can account for the demand for religion. Then, drawing on the economics of networking, entrepreneurship, and industrial organization, the book explains Christianity's rapid ascent. Like a business, the church developed sound business strategies that increased its market share to a near monopoly in the medieval period. This book offers a fascinating look at the dynamics of Christianity’s rise, as well as how aspects the church’s structure—developed over the first millennium—illuminate a number of critical problems faced by the church today.

Suggested Citation

  • Ekelund Jr., Robert B. & Tollison, Robert D., 2011. "Economic Origins of Roman Christianity," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, number 9780226200026, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:bkecon:9780226200026
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Marianna Belloc & Francesco Drago & Roberto Galbiati, 2016. "Earthquakes, Religion, and Transition to Self-Government in ItalianCities," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 131(4), pages 1875-1926.
    2. William R. Dougan, 2017. "Robert D. Tollison: an appreciation," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 171(1), pages 33-37, April.
    3. Sriya Iyer, 2022. "Religion and Discrimination: A Review Essay of Persecution and Toleration: The Long Road to Religious Freedom," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 60(1), pages 256-278, March.
    4. Mario Ferrero, 2014. "From Jesus to Christianity: The economics of sacrifice," Rationality and Society, , vol. 26(4), pages 397-424, November.
    5. Mario Ferrero, 2014. "Competition between Judaism and Christianity: Paul's Galatians as Entry Deterrence," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 67(2), pages 204-226, May.
    6. Dennis C. Mueller, 2013. "The State and Religion," Review of Social Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 71(1), pages 1-19, March.
    7. Constantine Bourlakis, 2016. "The Emperor?s New Mind: On Constantine?s I Decision to Legalize Christianity," International Journal of Social Sciences, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences, vol. 5(1), pages 47-59, February.
    8. Roger D. Congleton, 2017. "Robert D. Tollison and the economics of politics," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 171(1), pages 23-28, April.
    9. Andrew Young, 2022. "The Peace of God," Rationality and Society, , vol. 34(1), pages 28-55, February.
    10. Andrew M. Yuengert, 2014. "Sin, and the Economics of ‘Sin’," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 11(2), pages 243-249, May.
    11. Coşgel, Metin & Miceli, Thomas J., 2018. "The price of redemption: Sin, penance, and marginal deterrence," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 206-218.
    12. Robert B. Ekelund, 2017. "Memories of Bob Tollison: memories of a friendship," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 171(1), pages 39-43, April.
    13. Constantine Bourlakis, 2015. "Rituals and Focal Points in Byzantium under the Emperor Justinian I," Proceedings of International Academic Conferences 3105279, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences.
    14. Pavol Minárik, 2013. "Ekonomie náboženství a její relevance pro ekonomy ve střední Evropě [Economics of Religion and its Relevance for Economists in Central Europe]," Politická ekonomie, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2013(5), pages 691-704.
    15. Mario Ferrero & George Tridimas, 2018. "Divine Competition in Greco–Roman Polytheism," Homo Oeconomicus: Journal of Behavioral and Institutional Economics, Springer, vol. 35(3), pages 143-166, September.
    16. Fred S. McChesney, 2017. "Bob Tollison: remarkable polymath and person," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 171(1), pages 53-58, April.
    17. Peter T. Leeson & Jacob W. Russ, 2018. "Witch Trials," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 128(613), pages 2066-2105, August.
    18. Franklin G. Mixon & Kamal P. Upadhyaya, 2020. "The economics of Puritanism’s treatment of bewitchment: exorcism as a potential market-pull innovation?," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 203-222, October.
    19. Leeson Peter T., 2021. "Trading with the Dead," Review of Law & Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 17(3), pages 615-646, November.

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