Religion and the Wealth of Nations after 250 Years

Sascha O. Becker

No 21196, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: This chapter explores the intersection of religion and economics on the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations, first published in 1776. While Smith is often viewed as a secular figure in economics, his work was deeply influenced by the moral philosophy of his time, which was shaped by Christian thought. I discuss how economists think about the religious themes in Smith’s work in the 21st century and review what we know today about the connection between religion and economic outcomes.

JEL-codes: B1 B2 N3 N9 P5 Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-02
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