1. Economic explanations and the functionalist trap
- Author
-
Vanberg, Viktor
- Subjects
Conversion -- Economic aspects ,Functionalism (Social sciences) -- Analysis ,Islam -- Economic aspects ,Islamic economics -- Analysis ,Business ,Economics - Abstract
Article examines the relation between functionalist and economic explanations with reference to Jean Ensminger's article 'Transaction Costs and Islam: Conversion in Africa'. Ensminger's article is sometimes ambiguous because she fails to clarify the nature of the relationship between an 'actor-oriented perspective' and the 'society-wide economic benefits' which converting to Islam brought. An economic, actor-oriented analysis of conversion to Islam can be explained by factors including the invisible-hand explanation, collective action and differential attraction.
- Published
- 1997