ECONOMIC GROWTH AND THE IMPACT OF CHRISTIAN IDEAS IN POST-MAOIST CHINA

Abstract

China’s growth strategy followed a standard, mechanistic recipe for catch- up growth that is relatively undisputed in mainstream Economics. However, the side effects of this growth, like environmental destruction, corruption and lack of transparency are now China’s major problem. The moral wisdom, embedded in all major Chinese religions including Christianity hold some of the missing piece(s), required to make China’s development model sustainable. Catholic Social Teaching could make relevant contributions to China and the wider Economics field. Similarly, the theological conception of Trinity is a perfect model of relationship and an alternative to an economic model which still seems to be defined on a narrow egocentric view on the “Homo Economicus.”