Religion and the Wealth of Nations after 250 Years

789/2026 Sascha O. Becker

This chapter explores the intersection of religion and economics on the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations, first published in 1776. While Smith is often viewed as a secular figure in economics, his work was deeply influenced by the moral philosophy of his time, which was shaped by Christian thought. I discuss how economists think about the religious themes in Smith's work in the 21st century and review what we know today about the connection between religion and economic outcomes.

Global Economic History