The Soul of Development: Biblical Christianity and Economic Transformation in Guatemala (Religion in America Life) [Hardcover]

Amy L. Sherman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195106717 | ISBN-13: 978-0195106718 | Publication Date: May 1, 1997 | Edition: 1ST

Ever since Max Weber started an argument about the role of Protestantism in jump-starting northern Europe's economic development, scholars have clashed over the influence of religion and culture on a society's (or an individual's) economic prospects. Today, many wonder whether the "explosion" of Protestantism in Latin America will effect a similar wave of growth and democratization. In this book, Sherman compiles the results of her field study and national survey of 1000 rural Guatemalan households. She offers persuasive evidence that, in Guatemala and throughout the region, religious world-views significantly influence economic life. Sherman explains how the change in attitude and behavior that accompanies conversion from animism to a Biblically orthodox world-view has improved the domestic welfare and economic status of many families. Further, she asserts that this new attitude, sympathetic to democratic-capitalism, has created a "moral cultural soil" in which freedom, personal empowerment, an enhanced status for women, and a desire to get ahead can be nurtured.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An excellent contribution to our understanding of the relationship between religion and development."--Peter Berger, Boston University

"The writing is crisp and very clear as to its basic approach and evaluational standpoint. The organization of the argument is likewise clear....A genuine extension of our knowledge on a matter of contemporary debate."--David Martin, London School of Economics and Political Science and author of Tongues of Fire.

About the Author

Amy L. Sherman is at Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, DC.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1ST edition (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195106717
• ISBN-13: 978-0195106718
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,323,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inside out and bottoms up..., August 20, 2004

By 

Meg D - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Soul of Development: Biblical Christianity and Economic Transformation in Guatemala (Religion in America Life) (Hardcover)

A new evangelical voice is emerging that is describing social transformation through a culture-and-development paradigm that emphasizes primarily (although not exclusively) a personal dimension.
Through her research in Guatemala, Dr. Amy Sherman has demonstrated that transformation is an inside-out, bottom-up phenomenon. Sherman argues that the societal transformation in Guatemala has proceeded from the large number of conversions from Christo-paganism to orthodox Christianity. An orthodox Christian worldview, Sherman explains, has been a catalyst for social transformation because it recognizes the value of the individual to make choices (toward sobriety, marital fidelity, and thrift) and reap the socioeconomic benefits.
In this unique country where evangelicals are an estimated 25% of the population, the actions of a significant amount of people making personal life changes has been felt at a societal level. Even secular critics note that evangelicalism, with its strong orientation toward the individual, has been positively correlated with to economic improvement, rising levels of education, and democracy. Highly recommended.

2 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A crumby piece of unabashedly propaghandistic clabtrap, March 14, 2006

By 

Luther T. Scruggs "Trammell" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Soul of Development: Biblical Christianity and Economic Transformation in Guatemala (Religion in America Life) (Hardcover)

Sherman is so ideocentric and intellectually spineless that it I can't get over the fact that this wasn't written over a hundred years ago.