| By: |
Ronen Bar-El (The Open University);
Teresa García-Muñoz (Universidad de Granada);
Shoshana Neuman (Department of Economics, Bar Ilan University);
Yossef Tobol (Department of Economics, Bar Ilan University) |
| Abstract: |
This study presents an evolutionary process of secularization that integrates
a theoretical model, simulations, and an empirical estimation that employs
data from 32 countries (included in the International Social Survey Program:
Religion II – ISSP, 1998). Following Bisin and Verdier (2000, 2001a), it is
assumed that cultural/social norms are transmitted from one generation to the
next one via two venues: (i) direct socialization – across generations, by
parents; and (ii) oblique socialization – within generations, by the community
and cultural environment. This paper focuses on the transmission of religious
norms and in particular on the 'religious taste for children'. The theoretical
framework describes the setting and the process leading to secularization of
the population; the simulations give more insight into the process; and
'secularization regressions' estimate the effects of the various explanatory
variables on secularization (that is measured by rare mass-attendance and by
rare-prayer), lending support to corollaries derived from the theory and
simulations. The main conclusions/findings are that (i) direct religious
socialization efforts of one generation have a negative effect on
secularization within the next generation; (ii) oblique socialization by the
community has a parabolic effect on secularization; and (iii) the two types of
socialization are complements in 'producing' religiosity of the next
generation. |
| Keywords: |
cultural transmission, religion, fertility, secularization, ISSP |
| Date: |
2010–06 |
| URL: |
http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:biu:wpaper:2010-10&r=evo |