The Political Economy of Indo-European Polytheism : How to Deal with Too Many Gods (Contributions to Economics) （2022）

Ferrero, Mario

Springer Nature Switzerland AG（2023/04発売）

• 製本 Paperback:紙装版/ペーパーバック版／ページ数 188 p.
• 言語 ENG
• 商品コード 9783030979454
• DDC分類 211.32

Full Description

This book sheds new light on the evolution and transformation of polytheistic religions. By applying economic models to the study of religious history and by viewing religious events as the result of rational choices under given environmental constraints, it offers a political economy perspective for the study of Indo-European polytheism. The book formally models the rivalry or competition among multiple gods in a polytheistic system and the monotheistic solution to this competition. Presenting case studies on the transformation and demise of various polytheistic religions, it highlights the pivotal role of the priestly class in driving religious change and suggests a joint explanation for the demise of Greco-Roman religion and the resilience of Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. It will appeal to scholars of the economics of religion and religious history and to anyone seeking new insights into the birth and death of religions, and the birth of monotheism in particular.

Contents

Acknowledgments.- Introduction: Polytheism and Economics.- Part I The Beginnings.- 2 Greeks and Romans: The Religions Without Professional Priests.- 3 Celts and Germans: The Elusive Religions.- 4 Indians and Iranians: The Priestly Religions.- Part II The Endings.- 5 Extinction: Polytheism Unreformed.- 6 Death and Rebirth: Polytheism Reformed.- Part III The Economics.- 7 Economic Analysis: From Typology to Outcomes.- 8 Economic Models: Gods, Supplicants, and Priests.- 9 Conclusions.- References.- Index.