The Economics of Religion in India

Sriya Iyer

Published by Harvard University Press 2018

The Economics of Religion in India

Sriya Iyer

https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674989313

Overview
Contents

About this book

Religion is not a popular target for economic analysis. Yet the economist’s tools offer insights into how religious groups compete, deliver social services, and reach out to converts—how religions nurture and deploy market power. Sriya Iyer puts these tools to use in an expansive study of India, one of the world’s most religiously diverse nations.

Reviews

Reminds us of old truths—for example, that religion is a cultural expression of deep emotional and imaginative hunger (what Iyer calls ‘spiritual’)—while arguing that it is often ‘a rational economic response’ to changing social environments. In so doing, Iyer gently but effectively challenges more narrow concepts of rational choice.
-- Terri Apter Times Literary Supplement

Economists are increasingly taking the importance of religion seriously in their work. Sriya Iyer is a leader in the field and has produced a major work which provides a distinctive and original perspective on religion in India. It will be of interest to anyone who wishes to see what an economic approach can bring to discussions of religion.
-- Tim Besley, London School of Economics and Political Science

Quite possibly the most original, certainly the freshest, reading of Hinduism and its place in Indian society in a long time. It is a marked contribution to the economics of religion.
-- Partha Dasgupta, University of Cambridge

The Economics of Religion in India is a model of clarity, lucidity, and comprehensive discussion. Iyer crafts an interdisciplinary piece of scholarship that illuminates many facets of the economics of religion in the Indian context.
-- Steven Durlauf, University of Chicago

Iyer is a world-class scholar with world-class insights. This is a must-read book for all who study the economics of religion, and a gold mine for anyone seeking to understand the role of religion in Indian society.
-- Larry Iannaccone, Chapman University

Sriya Iyer has given us a creative, intellectually rich discussion of religion in India and its effects on social-service provision and economic development. Her knowledge of the Indian religion market combines with her command of economics to produce a major contribution to the economics of religion.
-- Rachel M. McCleary and Robert J. Barro, Harvard University

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
1. What Is Religion, and How Do Economists Think about It? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. Religion and Religious Conflict in Indian Life Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	33
3. The Survey of Religious Organizations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	73
4. Temples and Economists: Religious Services Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	93
5. Faith and the Faithful: Nonreligious Services Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	115
6. Inequality, Demography, and Socioeconomic Status Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	152
7. The Modern Madrasa: A Case Study of Religious Education in India Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	182
8. Religious Competition and Marketing Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	221
9. Conclusion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	237
Glossary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	249
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	251
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	257
Acknowledgments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	283
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	287

Language: English
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Pages
- Main content: 304

eBook

Published: September 17, 2018
ISBN: 9780674989313