Rulers, Religion, and Riches (Paperback)

Jared Rubin

ISBN 10: 1108400051 / ISBN 13: 9781108400053

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2017

About this Item

Paperback. For centuries following the spread of Islam, the Middle East was far ahead of Europe. Yet, the modern economy was born in Europe. Why was it not born in the Middle East? In this book Jared Rubin examines the role that Islam played in this reversal of fortunes. It argues that the religion itself is not to blame; the importance of religious legitimacy in Middle Eastern politics was the primary culprit. Muslim religious authorities were given an important seat at the political bargaining table, which they used to block important advancements such as the printing press and lending at interest. In Europe, however, the Church played a weaker role in legitimizing rule, especially where Protestantism spread (indeed, the Reformation was successful due to the spread of printing, which was blocked in the Middle East). It was precisely in those Protestant nations, especially England and the Dutch Republic, where the modern economy was born. This book discusses the role that Islam and Christianity played in the long-run economic reversal of fortunes between Western Europe and the Middle East. Instead of focusing on the content of the religions, it documents the importance of religious legitimacy in politics as a driving force in the economic divergence. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781108400053

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Rulers, Religion, and Riches (Paperback)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Publication Date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1108400051
• ISBN 13: 9781108400053
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

For centuries following the spread of Islam, the Middle East was far ahead of Europe. Yet, the modern economy was born in Europe. Why was it not born in the Middle East? In this book Jared Rubin examines the role that Islam played in this reversal of fortunes. It argues that the religion itself is not to blame; the importance of religious legitimacy in Middle Eastern politics was the primary culprit. Muslim religious authorities were given an important seat at the political bargaining table, which they used to block important advancements such as the printing press and lending at interest. In Europe, however, the Church played a weaker role in legitimizing rule, especially where Protestantism spread (indeed, the Reformation was successful due to the spread of printing, which was blocked in the Middle East). It was precisely in those Protestant nations, especially England and the Dutch Republic, where the modern economy was born.

About the Author

Jared Rubin is an Associate Professor of Economics at Chapman University, California. His research on the relationship between political and religious institutions and their role in economic development has appeared in numerous leading economics journals.