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The long-run effects of religious persecution: Evidence from the Spanish Inquisition

Author

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  • Mauricio Drelichman

    (Vancouver School of Economics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1L4, Canada)

  • Jordi Vidal-Robert

    (School of Economics, University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006, Australia; CAGE, Department of Economics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom)

  • Hans-Joachim Voth

    (Economics Department, University of Zurich, CH-8001 Zurich, Switzerland; UBS Center for Economics in Society, Department of Economics, University of Zurich, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Economic Policy Research, London EC1V 0DX, United Kingdom)

Abstract

Religious persecution is common in many countries around the globe. There is little evidence on its long-term effects. We collect data from all across Spain, using information from more than 67,000 trials held by the Spanish Inquisition between 1480 and 1820. This comprehensive database allows us to demonstrate that municipalities of Spain with a history of a stronger inquisitorial presence show lower economic performance, educational attainment, and trust today. The effects persist after controlling for historical indicators of religiosity and wealth, ruling out potential selection bias.

Suggested Citation

  • Mauricio Drelichman & Jordi Vidal-Robert & Hans-Joachim Voth, 2021. "The long-run effects of religious persecution: Evidence from the Spanish Inquisition," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 118(33), pages 2022881118-, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nas:journl:v:118:y:2021:p:e2022881118
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Cinnirella & Alireza Naghavi & Giovanni Prarolo, 2023. "Islam and human capital in historical Spain," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 225-257, June.
    2. Ivanov, Denis, 2023. "Institutional reforms and social trust: Quasi-experimental evidence from the Caucasian states," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 829-859.
    3. Fabio Blasutto & David de la Croix, 2023. "Catholic Censorship and the Demise of Knowledge Production in Early Modern Italy," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 133(656), pages 2899-2924.
    4. Dominic Rohner, 2022. "Conflict, Civil Wars and Human Development," Cahiers de Recherches Economiques du Département d'économie 22.08, Université de Lausanne, Faculté des HEC, Département d’économie.
    5. Liu, Xianda & Hou, Wenxuan & Main, Brian G.M., 2022. "Anti-market sentiment and corporate social responsibility: Evidence from anti-Jewish pogroms," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    6. Berlanda, Andrea & Buonanno, Paolo & Puca, Marcello, 2023. "Religion and women: How Waldensians reduced the gender gap," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).

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