The influence of religious beliefs on long-term economic development

Based on the example of Paris and London from the 16th to the mid 18th century

Term Paper (Advanced seminar) , 2013 , 19 Pages , Grade: 1,3

History of Europe - Middle Ages, Early Modern Age

This historical analysis will examine the influence that religious beliefs have on long-term economic developments, which are shown using the example of Europe at the height of the Renaissance and on its way towards Industrialisation, between 1500 and 1750. This relationship will be examined on the basis of two specific cities, the mainly catholic French capital, Paris, and the Protestant English city London.

During this time, the whole of Europe was undergoing huge changes in all dimensions of society. The protestant reformation began in the 16th century, quickly followed by the foundation of the Church of England which then also leads over to the English reformation. Only a few decades later the Thirty Years War broke out in Germany as well as the English Civil War taking place in the middle of the 17th century. One main indicator of this new direction of development are the rising and falling wages across all nations. While most of the traditional catholic southern countries go in a phase of regression, most protestant cities are flourishing and gaining more and more importance. This leads to the point of rating religion in this process.

The religious group a society belongs to influences their individual behaviour. According to Weber’s “Protestant Ethic” being of protestant belief is an advantage compared to catholic ethics, especially in terms of economic development. This dependence is analysed based on two major cities Paris and London as they both have quite a high population as well as remarkably different evolution during this time.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Introduction
• Analysis of Weber's "Protestant Ethic"
  • Religious influence
  • Economic success
• Europe in 1500
• Comparison of Paris and London
  • Measurement of economic development
  • Population growth
  • Real wages
  • Literacy levels
  • Network ability
  • Intermediate result
• Europe at the edge of industrialisation
• Conclusion
• Works Cited

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This historical analysis aims to investigate the influence of religious beliefs on long-term economic development, using the example of Europe during the Renaissance and the transition to Industrialization, between 1500 and 1750. The study focuses on two specific cities, Paris (Catholic) and London (Protestant), to compare their economic trajectories during this period.

• The impact of religious beliefs on individual work ethic and economic behavior.
• The role of the Protestant Reformation in shaping economic development.
• A comparative analysis of economic indicators in Paris and London, including population growth, real wages, literacy levels, and network ability.
• The relationship between religious beliefs and economic success in the context of European history.
• The influence of Weber's "Protestant Ethic" on understanding the relationship between religion and economic development.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The introduction sets the stage for the analysis by outlining the historical context of the study, focusing on the period between 1500 and 1750, a time of significant social and economic change in Europe. It highlights the rise of Protestantism and its potential impact on economic development, particularly in comparison to Catholic regions. The introduction also introduces the key cities of Paris and London, which will be used as case studies to explore the relationship between religious beliefs and economic success.

Chapter 2 delves into Weber's "Protestant Ethic" and its implications for economic development. It examines the influence of religious beliefs on individual work ethic, highlighting the potential advantages of Protestant beliefs in terms of economic success. The chapter also explores the historical context of the Reformation and its role in shaping the Protestant work ethic.

Chapter 3 provides a historical overview of Europe in 1500, setting the stage for the comparative analysis of Paris and London. It discusses the economic and social conditions of the time, highlighting the key factors that influenced economic development in different regions.

Chapter 4 presents a detailed comparison of Paris and London, examining various economic indicators such as population growth, real wages, literacy levels, and network ability. The chapter aims to identify the key differences in economic development between the two cities and to explore the potential role of religious beliefs in shaping these differences.

Chapter 5 examines the state of Europe at the edge of industrialization, highlighting the key economic and social trends that led to the Industrial Revolution. It discusses the role of technological innovation, capital accumulation, and social change in driving economic growth.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text encompass religious beliefs, economic development, Protestant Ethic, Reformation, Paris, London, population growth, real wages, literacy levels, network ability, and European history. The analysis explores the relationship between religious beliefs and economic success, particularly in the context of the Renaissance and the transition to Industrialization, using the example of Paris and London as case studies.

• College: Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
• Course: The Two Sides of the Coin-Economics and Ethics in Anglo-American Writing
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Bastian Hagmaier (Author)
• Publication Year: 2013
• Pages: 19
• Catalog Number: V286366
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656866725
• ISBN (Book): 9783656866732
• Language: English
• Tags: based, paris, london