Capitalism and Christianity

Origins, Spirit and Betrayal of the Market Economy

Luigino Bruni

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English

Routledge
29 September 2025

European history; Christianity; Economic theory & philosophy; Political economy; Economic history

Series: Economics and Humanities

Drawing on debates about the religious nature and origins of contemporary European capitalism, this book argues for a distinction between a Northern/Protestant and a Southern/Catholic spirit of capitalism. The first part of the book explores the history of the relationship between capitalism and Christianity. Going back much further than Weber’s “protestant ethic” arguments, it looks at the early centuries of Christianity from the gospels to Augustine and follows the story through the Middle Ages – with special attention devoted to the role of Monasticism and Franciscanism – to modernity. The second part of the book analyses the origin of the “southern spirit of capitalism: before and after Luther and the Calvinist Reformation. It highlights the key features which demonstrate that the Catholic spirit of capitalism is, in fact, different from the Anglo-Saxon spirit. This book will be of interest to readers in history of economic thought, history of capitalism, economic ethics and religious history.

By: Luigino Bruni
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781032524023
ISBN 10: 1032524022
Series: Economics and Humanities
Pages: 116
Publication Date: 29 September 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Luigino Bruni is Full Professor in Political Economy, Department of Law, Economics, Politics and Modern languages, University LUMSA, Rome, Italy.