ADAM SMITH'S GLOBALIZATION (BUT ANTI-SECULARIZATION) THEORY

James Alvey

No 23716, Discussion Papers from Massey University, Department of Applied and International Economics

Abstract: In the Western world the voices calling for a secular society have grown ever louder over the last three centuries. In addition to these normative advocates, various social scientists have propounded the "secularization thesis"; after analysing history from a purportedly positive view, they have argued that "modernization" leads to a secular society. Recently globalization has been seen as another cause of secularization. At the same time, the revival of various religions has cast doubt on these claims. In this paper we return to one of the founders of modernity for guidance. Adam Smith advocated globalization on economic and moral grounds. He did not see secularization as an inevitable consequence of globalization. Further, despite his awareness of the arguments of the advocates of secular society, he rejected their advice. For him, a secular community was neither a necessary nor a desirable consequence of globalization.

Keywords: Political; Economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 23
Date: 2003
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:masddp:23716

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.23716

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