At the altar of Wall Street : the rituals, myths, theologies, sacraments, and mission of the religion known as the modern global economy / Scott W. Gustafson.

Author/creator Gustafson, Scott W.
Format Book
PublicationGrand Rapids, Michigan : William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2015.
Descriptionxii, 220 pages ; 23 cm
Subjects
Economics--Religious aspects.

Contents Economic rituals -- Economic myths, metaphors, and rhetoric -- The economy's theologians, prophets, reformers, terrorists, and primal religion? -- Beyond our current religious configurations.
Abstract In this thought-provoking book Scott Gustafson argues that economics performs the same function in contemporary American culture that religions did in past cultures. He describes and analyzes the rituals, pilgrimage sites, myths, prophets, reformers, sacraments, and mission of economics to show how the economy operates as our de facto "god." Understanding how economics functions as a religion is the first step in addressing many of today's political and social problems, Gustafson says. Our inability to compromise on economic matters is much more intelligible when competing principles are understood as religious laws that cannot be violated. At the Altar of Wall Street encompasses a broad sweep of history, philosophy, culture studies, economic ideas -- and religion, of course -- and offers insightful discussion of such topics as debt, economic terrorism, globalization, and money as the economy's sacrament.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (pages 206-215) and index.
LCCN 2015013108
ISBN9780802872807 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN0802872808 (pbk. : alk. paper)

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Joyner General Stacks HB72 .G873 2015 ✔ Available Place Hold