In: Shades of Gray in the Changing Religious Markets of China
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Abstract
In this concluding chapter, for the first time Yang offers a behind-the-scenes look at the introduction, acceptance, and criticisms of religious market theories in China. His translation and introduction of Acts of Faith by Rodney Stark and Roger Finke stirred up great interest in the new paradigm of the social scientific study of religion. His construction of the tricolor market theory, shortage economy theory, and religious oligopoly theory break away from the “supply-side theories” and shed light on the dynamics of religious change in contemporary China, which is often considered inscrutable by people inside and outside China. This chapter clarifies some of the misunderstandings, responds to the major scholarly critiques that have been put forth, and suggests ways forward for theoretical development.