The crossroads of poverty and prosperity

the long version

Is it possible that religious beliefs and worldviews could have as much impact on economic outcomes as democracy or markets? Secular and religious beliefs-- and the values emanating from them-- may well be the ultimate arbiters of both poverty and prosperity. After considering the relationship between religious beliefs and economic outcomes, this book provides an easy-to-understand interdisciplinary model of the process by which individuals, families, businesses, not-for-profits and governments end up contributing to, impeding, or undermining wealth creation and economic evelopment. Through the use of examples from many religions and countries, and by focusing especially on two belief systems that have been disproportionately influential in the development of the global market economy-- Secularism and Christianity-- the model identifies civil society, entrepreneurship and seven key "pro-development worldview elements" as essential to healthy economies.