Kościół katolicki a quasi-monopolistyczna struktura rynku religijnego. Zastosowanie podejścia ekonomicznego do rozważań nad efektywnością instytucji religijnych

Abstract

In this paper, the author focused on the analysis of religious phenomena by the usage of economic approach. This approach was established by American researchers, especially economists and sociologists, who were inspired by the rational choice theory. The author’s reflections concentrated on the situation of European catholic societies, especially Poland. The market structure specific for them isn’t fully open and pluralistic. The Catholic Church has a dominant and quasi-monopolistic position. This quasi-monopolistic structure is ineffective. In consequence, we can observe there the decline in church commitment and church attendance