Established clergy, friars and the pope: Some institutional economics of the medieval church

Article Abstract:

The medieval Church can be regarded as a franchise system, and the institutional changes introduced by popes during the early 13th century can be subjected to economic analysis and modelling. The doctrine of purgatory had been developed during the 12th century, and 13th century popes introduced an institutional innovation - that is the licensing of friars or mendicant orders - in order to benefit from this new doctrine. By licensing friars, popes were able to introduce competition and gain greater profits from selling release time from purgatory.

Economic aspects, Institutional economics, 13th century AD, Monasticism and religious orders, Religious orders (Christian)

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Religion, ethics, the economy and economics

Article Abstract:

The concept of 'ethos' put forward by Professor Herms is too narrow and under-determined in several areas. Herms regards ethics, religion, economics and the economy as subsystems of ethos. However, economics and the economy are really two sides of the same coin, and in Herms' case it is an area which has been treated too narrowly. His theory on religion also appears under-determined due to Herms' reluctance to focus on the social constraint of all upon each.

Ethics

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Analyzing religious sectarianism

Article Abstract:

The rationality of an individual's decision to join a particular religious sect may be explained as an investment in maintaining or improving the human capital within a family. For example, involvement in religious sects often has the potential for boosting family relationships. However, such 'human capital enhancing' benefits also depend on the historical context of the sects.

Sects

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