Contributions to Economics

This book sheds new light on the evolution and transformation of polytheistic religions. By applying economic models to the study of religious history and by viewing religious events as the result of rational choices under given environmental constraints, it offers a political economy perspective for the study of Indo-European polytheism. The book formally models the rivalry or competition among multiple gods in a polytheistic system and the monotheistic solution to this competition. Presenting case studies on the transformation and demise of various polytheistic religions, it highlights the pivotal role of the priestly class in driving religious change and suggests a joint explanation for the demise of Greco-Roman religion and the resilience of Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. It will appeal to scholars of the economics of religion and religious history and to anyone seeking new insights into the birth and death of religions, and the birth of monotheism in particular.

This book addresses how digital technology is challenging the principles of the market economy and the consequences for economic policy.

Applying the approach of the Freiburg School as a heuristic perspective, the study examines the concrete effects of digital technology on the price system and monetary policy, the openness of markets, the role of private property, and labour markets.

It highlights the emergence of digital innovations such as digital currencies, digital goods, artificial intelligence, digital platforms and the sharing economy and discusses the challenges these innovations pose for economic governance and the development of adequate economic policy instruments. 

This comprehensive overview provides a basic understanding of the scope of the digital transformation and addresses a wide scale of important aspects of e. g. competition and trade policy, the impact of robotisation on labour market policy, and how economic policy must incorporate social aspects.

The book appeals to scholars and students of economics, public management professionals, and anyone interested in the challenges of digitalisation in the context of economic policy.