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Theocracy as a Screening Device

In: The Political Economy of Theocracy

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  • Douglas W. Allen

Abstract

The subject of theocracy, a government grounded in a religious theology, seems beyond economic analysis.1 First, a theocracy is a type of organization, and despite the advances made in the economics of organization over the past forty years, the calculus of markets still rules the roost. Second, a theocracy implies theology—a topic not taught in economic graduate schools—and worse a subject related to “faith,” which seems incongruent with morally vacuous utility maximizing agents. Finally, the secular world view, so commonly held in economics, finds theology uncomfortable at best, but somewhat irrational at worst.2 The result has been that economists have generally ignored the study of religion, churches, and theocracy.3

Suggested Citation

  • Douglas W. Allen, 2009. "Theocracy as a Screening Device," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Mario Ferrero & Ronald Wintrobe (ed.), The Political Economy of Theocracy, chapter 8, pages 181-199, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-0-230-62006-3_9
    DOI: 10.1057/9780230620063_9
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    Cited by:

    1. Mario Ferrero, 2011. "The infallibility of the pope," Economics of Governance, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 89-99, March.

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