The Presbyterian virtue of thrift in traditional Scottish banking

Angus Robson

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-09349-4_6

The Presbyterian virtue of thrift in traditional Scottish banking

Angus Robson^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

Thrift is a historic virtue which is enjoying a necessary revival in the context of the climate crisis and wider concerns about sustainability. Here, thrift is explored from the perspective of its traditional association with Presbyterianism in Scotland, with the aim of clarifying the concept. A review of the broad history of thrift and its connection with Protestantism is given. This is then supported by empirical data from leaders in Scottish banking gathered in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2007/8, which is shown as a failure of financial stewardship. The significance of thrift is discussed in relation to the views of these banking leaders and its application to contemporary problems of sustainability. Thrift emerges, not as a compulsion to save, but as a virtue which underpins justice.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Faith Traditions and Practices in the Workplace
Subtitle of host publication	The role of religion in unprecedented times
Editors	Mai Chi Vu, Nadia Singh, Nicholas Burton, Irene Chu
Place of Publication	Cham, Switzerland
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan
Chapter	6
Pages	107-126
Number of pages	19
Volume	1
ISBN (Electronic)	9783031093494
ISBN (Print)	9783031093487
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09349-4_6
Publication status	Published - 11 Nov 2022

Publication series

Name	Palgrave Studies in Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan
ISSN (Print)	2662-3668
ISSN (Electronic)	2662-3676

Keywords

thrift
justice
Protestantism
banking
sustainability

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-031-09349-4_6

Cite this

Robson, A. (2022). The Presbyterian virtue of thrift in traditional Scottish banking. In M. Chi Vu, N. Singh, N. Burton, & I. Chu (Eds.), Faith Traditions and Practices in the Workplace: The role of religion in unprecedented times (Vol. 1, pp. 107-126). (Palgrave Studies in Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09349-4_6

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Robson, A 2022, The Presbyterian virtue of thrift in traditional Scottish banking. in M Chi Vu, N Singh, N Burton & I Chu (eds), Faith Traditions and Practices in the Workplace: The role of religion in unprecedented times. vol. 1, Palgrave Studies in Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment, Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, Switzerland, pp. 107-126. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09349-4_6

The Presbyterian virtue of thrift in traditional Scottish banking. / Robson, Angus.
Faith Traditions and Practices in the Workplace: The role of religion in unprecedented times. ed. / Mai Chi Vu; Nadia Singh; Nicholas Burton; Irene Chu. Vol. 1 Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 2022. p. 107-126 (Palgrave Studies in Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

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AB - Thrift is a historic virtue which is enjoying a necessary revival in the context of the climate crisis and wider concerns about sustainability. Here, thrift is explored from the perspective of its traditional association with Presbyterianism in Scotland, with the aim of clarifying the concept. A review of the broad history of thrift and its connection with Protestantism is given. This is then supported by empirical data from leaders in Scottish banking gathered in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2007/8, which is shown as a failure of financial stewardship. The significance of thrift is discussed in relation to the views of these banking leaders and its application to contemporary problems of sustainability. Thrift emerges, not as a compulsion to save, but as a virtue which underpins justice.

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KW - banking

KW - sustainability

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Robson A. The Presbyterian virtue of thrift in traditional Scottish banking. In Chi Vu M, Singh N, Burton N, Chu I, editors, Faith Traditions and Practices in the Workplace: The role of religion in unprecedented times. Vol. 1. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. 2022. p. 107-126. (Palgrave Studies in Workplace Spirituality and Fulfillment). Epub 2022 Nov 10. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-09349-4_6

The Presbyterian virtue of thrift in traditional Scottish banking

Abstract

Publication series

Keywords

UN SDGs

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