Abstract
The previous chapter covered economic development issues rooted in the Protestant Ethic, with a particular focus on American influences in microfinance. This chapter covers issues where theological threads present a more explicit and overt challenge to economic development for the poor. The first section will touch upon issues in microfinance related to religion, gender, and culture. The second section will focus on the Prosperity Gospel and how its view of economic development has challenged the role and authority of traditional African religions. The final section presents a case study on the bonyads, religious foundations in the Iranian republic tasked with economic development for the poor. The purpose of the case study is to illuminate drawbacks stemming from state-run, theological economic development programs that lack transparency.
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Notes
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© 2014 Michael Looft
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Looft, M. (2014). Theology and Development. In: Inspired Finance. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137450784_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137450784_5
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