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Paradise Postponed: Future Tense and Religiosity

Author

Listed:
  • Astghik Mavisakalyan

    (Bankwest Curtin Economic Centre, Curtin University)

  • Yashar Tarverdi

    (Department of Treasury WA, Australia and Bankwest Curtin Economic Centre, Curtin University)

  • Clas Weber

    (University of Western Australia, Australia)

Abstract

This paper identifies a new source of differences in religiosity: the presence of future tense marking in language. We argue that the rewards and punishments that incentivise religious behaviour are less effective for speakers of languages that contain future tense marking. Consistent with this prediction, we show that speakers of future-tensed languages are less likely to be religious and to take up the short-term costs associated with religiosity. What is likely to drive this behaviour, according to our results, is the relatively lower appeal of the religious rewards for these individuals. Our analysis is based on within country regressions comparing individuals with identical observable characteristics who speak a different language.

Suggested Citation

  • Astghik Mavisakalyan & Yashar Tarverdi & Clas Weber, 2020. "Paradise Postponed: Future Tense and Religiosity," Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Working Paper series WP2001, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School.
  • Handle: RePEc:ozl:bcecwp:wp2001
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Language; Culture; Religiosity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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