This is the Cato Daily Podcast and I'm

Anastasia Glova, your host.

This month's issue of Cato Unbound features an essay by

Lawrence Harrison, a senior research fellow

and adjunct lecturer at the Fletcher School at Tufts University.

His essay explains why culture is fundamental to understanding why some societies flourish

and why some remain economically underdeveloped.

Can cultural norms be toxic to economic development?

Absolutely. I think that the existence of adverse values and attitudes goes a long way towards explaining why we're so

frustrated with the slow rate of economic development in parts of Asia, certainly the

Islamic parts of Asia, Africa, Latin America.

What cultural tenets and norms are most suitable to economic development?

First of all, the belief that you can influence your destiny.

Second of all, a belief in the importance of education.

Third, work ethic.

Fourth, emphasis on merit.

Fifth, a belief that the future can be improved by saving.

Those are some of the values that have contributed not only to the success of the West, but also of East Asia.

What role does religion play?

Religion is one of the, perhaps the most prominent influence on culture.

There are significant differences between, for example, Protestantism and Catholicism

with respect to economic development, Catholicism is still,

...