A system of governance may be derived from religious...

A system of governance may be derived from religious doctrines pertaining to welfare of humanity. A number of research based studies by economists have proved positive relationship between economic growth and religion. Religious beliefs also affect individual's wellbeing as Chamberlain and Zika (1988) have discussed the relationship of religiosity and psychological wellbeing of individuals. Their results show that religiosity has positive relationship with wellbeing but to smaller extent.

McCleary and Barro (2003) conclude that although religiosity tends to decline overall with economic development, the partial relations depend on the specific dimensions of development. They documented that the measures of religiosity are positively related to education, negatively related to urbanization, and positively related to the presence of children. Increased life expectancy tends to be negatively related with church attendance but positively related to religious beliefs.

Hence their productivity will be more as compared to those persons who are not religious or less religious, that will increase welfare in this world as well as the life here after. Barro and McCleary (2003) find that economic growth responds positively to the extent of religious beliefs, notably those in hell, heaven, and life hereafter but negatively to church attendance. That is, growth depends on the extent of believing relative to belonging.

Their results accord with a perspective in which religious beliefs influence individual traits that enhance economic performance. To them the beliefs are, in turn, the principal output of the religion sector, and church attendance measures the inputs to this sector. Barro and McCleary (2003) pointed out that greater religious pluralism, measured by the diversity of adherence among major religions, is associated with higher church attendance and beliefs.

Across the religions, attendance at religious services is higher for Catholic than for the other religions, except for Muslim. The beliefs in heaven and hell tend to be highest for Muslim, then Catholic, then the other faiths. However religiosity is affected due to prevailing political and governance system.

McCleary and Barro (2003) pointed out that the presence of a state religion is positively related to the religiosity measures, probably because of the subsidies that typically flow to the established religions. Therefore religion may promote good governance.