Piety, Power, and the Purse: Religious Economies Theory and Urban Reform in the Holy Roman Empire

摘要: The religious economies model has been influential in the sociology of religion. Yet, propositions drawn from have difficult to test comparative and historical study religion, generally for lack appropriate data. We develop a general theory disestablishment apply it Reformation 16th-century Europe explain variation abolition Catholic monopoly. suggest three principal factors—changes demand, entry control mechanisms, political incentives—that why incumbent firms may lose their then analyze resulting hypotheses systematic analysis cities Holy Roman Empire. Our yields mixed support demand-side factors firm incentives institution reform.