The crossroads of poverty and prosperity
Subtitle: the impact of religious beliefs and worldviews on economic outcomes
By: John R. Visser
Publisher: [CreateSpace Self Publishing]
Published: 2013
Place of publication: [Sioux Center, IA]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 427
ISBN-13: 9781481935784
Subjects: Economic development; Religious aspects; Economics; Secularism; Christianity; Poverty; Wealth; Worldview
Description: Is it possible that religious beliefs and worldviews could have as much impact on economic outcomes as democracy or markets? Secular and religious beliefs-- and the values emanating from them-- may well be the ultimate arbiters of both poverty and prosperity. After considering the relationship between religious beliefs and economic outcomes, this book provides an easy-to-understand interdisciplinary model of the process by which individuals, families, businesses, not-for-profits and governments end up contributing to, impeding, or undermining wealth creation and economic evelopment. Through the use of examples from many religions and countries, and by focusing especially on two belief systems that have been disproportionately influential in the development of the global market economy-- Secularism and Christianity-- the model identifies civil society, entrepreneurship and seven key "pro-development worldview elements" as essential to healthy economies.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 418-427).
Table of contents: title: Stories; title: The global economic meltdown; title: Lessons from Flyover Country (and some questions that need asking); title: Wealth creation and economic development; title: Explaining the mystery of wealth : Adam Smith's contribution; title: The importance of intangible wealth to development; title: Incorrect and incomplete thinking about the origins/creation of wealth; title: Religious beliefs : extent, importance and paths of influence; title: The economics of good and evil; title: Evidence of the impact of beliefs, both religious and secular, on historically important individuals and events; title: Connections between religious belief and development : research and writing; title: Religious beliefs : misconceptions and confusion; title: Worldviews : introduction and importance; title: Critical differences among belief systems I : beliefs about God and the world; title: Critical differences among belief systems II : beliefs about people, relationships and sources of truth; title: Putting it all together : an integral picture of the wealth creation and economic development processes; title: The development of wheel continued : structure and core; title: The development of wheel continued : essential catalysts; title: Pro-development worldview element #1 : a strong sense that things are not as they should be and that it is humankind's responsibility to improve them; title: Pro-development worldview element #2 : respect for and high expectations of authority; title: Pro-development worldview element #3 : a stewardship ethic; title: Pro-development worldview element #4 : the ability to see oneself objectively and others sympathetically; title: Pro-development worldview element #5 : a deep concern for people outside one's family and friendship circles; title: Pro-development worldview element #6 : high integrity conduct as not only praiseworthy but mandatory; title: Pro-development worldview element #7 : the importance of humility; title: Christianity and pro-development worldview element #1 : the rejection of human suffering and infringements on human rights; title: Christianity and pro-development worldview elements #2 and #3 : perspectives on authority and stewardship; title: Christianity and pro-development worldview elements #4 and #5 : perspectives on objectivity and the journey from mistrust and fear to sincere concern and love; title: Christianity and pro-development worldview elements #6 and #7 : perspectives on what it means to be a praiseworthy individual; title: Christianity and business; title: When Christianity impedes development; title: Secular materialism : basic doctrine and positive economic effects; title: How secularist beliefs about religion can hamper development; title: The limited ability of secularism's commitments to autonomy, freedom, reason and science to promote pro-development worldview elements; title: A story of secular influences gone wrong; title: Conclusion and implications for the future.