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Author: | Rubin, J. |
Title: | Institutions, the rise of commerce and the persistence of laws: interest restrictions in islam and christianity |
Journal: | Economic Journal
2011 : DEC, VOL 121:557 p. 1310-1339 |
Index terms: | economic development religion christianity islam Middle East Europe |
Freeterms: | interest |
Language: | eng |
Abstract: | Why was economic development underdeveloped in the Middle East relative to Western Europe, even though the Middle East was far ahead for centuries? A theoretical model inspired and cemented by the history of interest restrictions suggests that this outcome emanates in part from the greater share to which early Islamic political authorities derived legitimacy from religious authorities. This brought with itself a feedback mechanism in Europe in which the rise of commerce led to fewer interest restrictions while also reducing the Church's ability to legitimise political authorities. These interactions did not take place in the Islamic world despite equally amenable economic conditions. |
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